CONTEIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY

CISTERCIAN HOUSES

DEVON.

J. BROOKING ROWE,

FKLLOW 01 THK SOriKTY OK ANTIHUARIK.s;

FELLOW or THK 1.1N.NKAN SOCIETY:
Ol THK EOYAI. ARCII.EOLOGICAL I\!-T1TUTK OF URKAT liltll.MN AM) IRKI.AXI:

HONORARY MK.MI1KR OF THK ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CORNWALL J

AUTHOR OF "A FAUNA OF DKVON : "

"THK KCCLKSIA-!THI\L HISTOIIY OF OLD PLYMOUTH;"

KTC. ETC.

PLYMOUTH :
W. BRENDON AND SON, 26, GEORGE STREET.

1878.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO A HISTORY

of

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LIBRARY

D, Ontario

DEVOK

J. BROOKING ROWE,

FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY OP ANTIQUARIES ;

FELLOW OF THE I.INNKAN SOCIETY;

MKMliKB OK THE ROYAL ARCH.EO1.OOir 4 L INSTITUTE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRKI.AMi
HONORARY MEMBKR OF THE ROVAL INSTITUTION OF CORNWALL;

AUTHOR OF "A FAUNA OF DEVON;"

"THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF OLD PLYMOUTH;"

ETC. ETC.

PLYMOUTH :

W. BRENDON AND SON, 26, GEORGE STREET.
1878.

ERRATA.

Page 5, paragraph 6, last line, for " among' read in.

„ 39, for Sir George Augustus " Heathfield" read Sir George Augustus

Eliott.

„ 85, paragraph 123, line 12, for " Bishop" read Abbot.
„ 105, „ 143, „ 4, for " Erne " read Erme.
„ 123, „ 179, „ 1, for " Churstowe" read Churchstowe.
„ HI, „ 205, „ 6, for " M " read B.
„ 142, line 5, for " hortis " read hostis.
„ 142, „ 6, for " Trivarunt " read Triverunt.

NOTE.

THE following papers are reprinted from the Transactions
of the Devonshire Association. Eeferring to an observation
in paragraph 2, page 4, as I arranged my materials, I found
it unnecessary to carry out my original intention of giving
a concise history of each Abbey, as by so doing I should
have been repeating to a great extent what is already in
print. Buckland and Buckfast I have treated somewhat
fully. What I have said of Newenham is only additional
to the collections of Mr. Davidson, and the whole may be
considered as supplementary to the works of Dugdale and
Oliver, and may be of assistance to the author who at some
future period undertakes to write a full history of these
religious houses, the inmates of which did so much to make
our county a good land — a land of wheat and of barley, of
flocks and of herds.

16, LOCKYEE STREET, '

PLYMOUTH.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY . . . . • . • 9

THE CISTERCIAN ORDER . . . . . 4

BUCKLAND . . . .... 8

DOCUMENTS RELATING TO BUCKLAND . . . 25

THE ABBOTS OF BUCKLAND . . .... 36

PEDIGREE OF THE REDVERS FAMILY . . . 37

PLATES. [See par. 61, page 51.] . ....

BUOKLAND DOCUMENTS, ETC. . . . 41

BUCKLAND MINISTERS' ACCOUNTS, 31 AND 32 HENRY VIII. . . 45

BUCKFAST . . . .... 52

THE ABBOTS OF BUCKFAST . . .... 130

DOCUMENTS RELATING TO BUCKFAST . .... 131

NEWENHAM . . . .... 139

THE ABBOTS OF NEWENHAM . .... 157

DOCUMENTS RELATING TO NEWENHAM . .... 193

DUNKESWELL . . . . . . . 159

THE ABBOTS OF DUNKESWELL . . . . 170

FORD . . . .... 171

THE ABBOTS OF FORD . . . 192

THE

CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

INTRODUCTORY.

I.
BUCKLAND.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

1. WE have in this county (for although Thomcombe was
in 1842 made a part of Dorsetshire, I include Ford Abbey as
belonging to Devon) examples both of the earliest and latest
foundations of the Cistercian order of monks.

Always excepting the most valuable work of the late Dr.
Oliver, little attention has been hitherto paid to the monastic
institutions and ruins of the county. Perhaps this neglect
has arisen from the unfortunate state of decay into which
nearly all the buildings have fallen. Devonshire seems to
have suffered more than any other part of England, and cannot
be said to possess any monastic ruin of importance, and there
is none perhaps except Dartiugton and Ford, in which the
existing remains give any idea of its former architectural
glories. And yet Devonshire possessed upwards of thirty re-
ligious houses, some of the first importance, and ranking among
the noblest in England. The bare mention of the great Bene-
dictine monasteries of Exeter and Tavistock, the Cluniac
house at Barnstaple, the five abbeys of the Cistercians dis-
tributed over the county, and last, but by no means least, the
Augustinian Priory of Plympton, to say nothing of the
numerous smaller establishments of the preaching orders and
friars, will show how much of interest there is in the investi-
gation of the subject.

2. Unfortunately, the task is not easy; and to work out
properly the history of even one of these, requires an amount
of time which few are able, and still fewer willing, to devote.
But even by a person whose time is much occupied, and with
whom the labour is one of love, a something can be accom-
plished; and I think that a concise history of each house,

4 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

embracing all the known facts of interest connected with it,
such as I am about to endeavour to give, will be of some
little use. I propose to give a short history of each of the
Cistercian abbeys from its foundation to its fall, to refer
briefly to the various abbots, to enumerate the possessions of
the monks, and their holders after the dissolution, and to
describe from personal examination such of the buildings as
remain. And without giving in every particular my authorities,
I may say that 1 have consulted every author who has touched
upon the subject, from the ponderous folios of Oliver and
Dugdale and Polwhele, and the less unwieldy quartos of Pole,
Prince, and Lysons, down to the more concise but not-to-be
despised pages of the traveller's hand-book and the local
guide, and even to the magazine article and the newspaper
paragraph.

3. But before proceeding to the special subject of each
abbey, it will be convenient to consider briefly, by way of
introduction, the history of the order, the objects its members
had in view in its formation, and their rule of life, and also to
refer to the buildings, and to show how they were especially
constructed to meet the wants of the community.

4. As is well known to those who have looked into the
history of the monastic orders, the Cistercian sprang in the
eleventh century from the Benedictine order, and had its rise
in an attempt to abridge the luxury and put an end to the
worldly spirit which then pervaded monastic life.

5. In 1098 a few monks of the Abbey of Molesme, in the
diocese of Langres, took counsel, and resolved to endeavour
to stem the tide, and leaving their own monastery, wandered
forth under the leadership of their abbot Eobert, and settled
down in a desert spot about fifteen miles south of Dijon, and
on St. Benedict's day laid the foundation of that famous order
which in its day and generation exercised such an important
influence throughout Europe, which sent forth so many men
distinguished for their piety and their learning, which gave
to the church many a pope and bishop, which in less than a
century possessed nearly two thousand monasteries, each and
for many a year the centre of a life of self-denial, piety,
frugality, and industry, each spreading around it an atmos-
phere of well-directed labour, each exercising an influence felt,
at least in England, perhaps even to the present day.

6. Although Alberic and Stephen Harding (the latter an
Englishman, and one of the West Country, a native of Sher-
borne), who succeeded Eobert in the government of the
newly-established order, did much in laying down the lines

INTRODUCTORY. 5

which were to be the rules for future guidance, neither were
very successful in inducing others to follow their example in
living a life of such austerity as they proposed. But Harding
was comforted by the vision vouchsafed to him of a great
multitude washing their white robes in a fountain, which he
took to be an assurance that his labours would one day be
rewarded. It was not until the great St. Bernard, who in
1113 with thirty companions had knocked at the gate
and obtained admission to Citeaux, had joined the monks,
that the order, in spite of the criticisms, the scoffs, and the
jealousies of its brethren, began to grow in popular favour.
From that time the vision of Stephen Harding began to be
fulfilled, and soon the poor buildings of Cistercium were too
small to accommodate those who applied for leave to enrol
themselves among the ranks of the new brotherhood.

7. Before the Eeformation it is estimated that the order
possessed about 3500 houses, 109 of which were in England.
The first founded in this country was that of Waverley, in
Surrey, in 1129; and one of the earliest was that of Buckfast-
leigh, in this county.

8. What were the objects which these men set before
them ? What was it that gave them such a reputation ?
What was it that made men exclaim that the whole church
was full of their high reputation and opinion of their sanctity
as it were with the odour of some divine balsam, and there
is no country or province wherein this vine loaded with
blessings has not spread its branches ? * An endeavour to
answer these questions would be out of place here, as it
would necessitate an investigation, not only into the causes
which moved the founders of the order to separate them-
selves from their former associates in the religious life, but
also to consider the history of the time, and the social and
political state of the people in the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries. Briefly, however, it would seem that the secret
was in the unquestionable sincerity and honesty of purpose
which characterized the order in its early days, in the self-
sacrifice shown, and the labours to which the monks gave
themselves up; in their appealing by their simple mode of
life to the feelings of the lower classes, and in their avoid-
ance of the ease and luxury which even then was too fre-
quently a scandal and a blot on the religious life.

9. In the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth centuries, the
lot of the Cistercian monk was a hard one. The rules drawn
up by Harding in his Carta caritatis, the Charter of Love, were

* Cardinal de Vitry. Fox, p. 293.

6 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

strictly enforced, and it must have required no small confi-
dence in his powers of endurance when the novice took the
vows binding him for life to the austerities of the order.
The monasteries were situated in such secluded spots as to
render any intercourse with the outside world difficult. _ The
food of the inmates was of the plainest kind, silence was rigidly
enforced, communication was carried on within the walls
mainly by signs, the fratry or day-room had no fireplace,
and was exposed to the rigour of the weather, one end being
left open to the air ; and when the poor monk, after perchance
his supper of fruit and herbs, sought his dormitory, the cold
night air played about his hard couch, admitted by the slits
in the long wall, unglazed and unshuttered, which served as
windows. The stranger or wayfarer was welcomed and hospi-
tably treated, but he was not allowed to enter the refectory or
cloister. Luxury, ease, and the ordinary comforts of life were
frowned upon, and for a long time banished. Labour and
prayer, prayer and labour, alone occupied the thoughts of the
Cistercian.

10. They were the farmers proper of the monastic orders.
While other communities had their mills and granges mainly
for their own use, and the use of those about them, the Cister-
cian made agriculture his business, and sent the products of
his land forth for the use of the outer world. It is somewhat
difficult to realize the scale on which farming was conducted
on the estates of a great Cistercian abbey. I think our
Devonshire houses were small in comparison with those in
other parts of the country; but when we recollect that a
Continental one had soon after its foundation 10,000 sheep,
1,000 goats, 2,000 pigs, 500 cows, 200 mares, and 100 horses,
we can easily understand that extensive buildings were re-
quired, and a large staff necessary for the conduct of such a
business. How then was the labour accomplished ? Not by
the monks ; for they were few in number.

11. In every Cistercian house were two classes — the monks
proper and the conversi, the masters and the servants. Both
classes took the vows ; but the lives of the conversi were spent
mainly in labour upon the farms and other menial work, per-
forming such religious duties only as might be reasonably
expected from lay folk, who had to obtain their livelihood by
the sweat of their brow. They were the poorest of the poor,
and often the vilest ; and many sought the convent when no
other door was open to them, and death stared them in the
face. Taken in hand then by the monks, compelled to earn
their bread, they soon became useful, and the outcast of

INTRODUCTOKY. 7

society found in the Church a shelter denied him by the
world. The number of monks proper was comparatively
small ; the conversi were numerous. At Clairvaux it seems
that preparation was made for about 350 ; and at Fountains
Mr. Sharpe calculated that 200 could be accommodated.
Where were such numbers housed? Mr. Sharpe answers
this question very satisfactorily, and to his recently-published
books on the subject of Cistercian architecture I must refer
all interested in the general subject. I will, however, briefly
indicate the ordinary features of the arrangements of the
buildings.

12. In the first place, the church was to be provided.
This, according to the rules, was always to be in the form of
a cross, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The choir, or
more properly chancel, was of small dimensions ; no Lady
chapel; but chapels are frequently found in the transepts.
The tower was low. There were to be no representations of
the human figure. Stained glass was forbidden ; pictures and
organs were not allowed ; but as time crept on these rules
were neglected, and the Cistercian church in its architecture
became less severe. It would seem that the rule was, that
the church should be on the north, and the other buildings
on the south ; but we shall find that there were exceptions
to this. Supposing ourselves leaving the church on the
south side through the transept, we should have on the east
the chapter- house, and on the west the east walk of the
cloister, and beyond the fratry or day-room of the monks,
over which would be their scriptorium and dormitory, con-
nected by a flight of steps with the church. Turning to the
west, we should enter the south walk of the cloister, and have
on our left hand successively the kitchen, refectory, and offices,
and following the same walk, leaving the western arcade on
our right, we should enter that part of the building, the special
home of the servants of the monastery, to which Mr. Sharpe
has happily given the name of the Domus Conversorum. In
the greater monasteries this was sometimes 300 feet long.
Those who know Fountains will doubtless recollect the noble
vaulted building which is foolishly called the cloister, mea-
suring about this length. This is the Doraus Conversorum,
and over it was the dormitory of the conversi.

13. You will see from Mr. Sharpe's model plan, given ill
the first part of his work, that access was thus easily gained
to the church by all. It was divided, probably by means
of wooden partitions, for the use of, firstly, the monks, who
took the east end ; secondly, the conversi, who used the

8 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

aisles and the last bays of the nave ; thirdly, the outsiders,
the inhabitants of the adjoining villages and others, to whom
was allotted the centre of the nave.

14. Hills and highlands were always avoided in the selec-
tion of a site for an abbey. The Cistercian's habitation was
far from the haunts of men; in a valley, and as far as possible
in the narrowest part of it, and close to a river, the settlement
was made ; and in such a situation in many a fertile spot
throughout England the farmer-monk made his home. In
h've of such localities in our fair county, members of the
order, at varying intervals, took up their abode. The earliest
house was founded in 1137, only nine years after the first —
that of Waverley, in Surrey — was planted in England ; and
the remaining four were established at different times — one
in the twelfth, and the other three in the thirteenth century.
While we can boast one of the first, we can also claim one
of the latest in England. The one I am now about to speak
of is the last founded.

15. The Abbey of Buckland was founded by Amicia, the
mother of Isabella, wife of William de Fortze, Earl of Albe-
marle, a lady connected with both those great families which
had shown such love for the Cistercian, which had done so
much to extend his order, and which had endowed it with so
many rich possessions. Baldwin Earl of Devon had founded
Quarr, in the Isle of Wight; and William le Gros, Earl of
Albemarle, had founded the Abbeys of Meaux and Vallis
Dei, both for the Cistercians, besides houses for other orders ;
and we may conjecture that it was the consideration of what
had been done by her ancestors and the ancestors of her son-
in-law, and the good results which were apparent from their
benefactions, which induced Amicia, the widowed countess
of Baldwin, seventh Earl of Devon, to provide another place
of settlement for Cistercian brethren.

16. The monks having already houses in other parts of
the county, and the south-west being unprovided, none being
nearer than Buckfastleigh, Amicia resolved that her new
colony should be planted amidst the family possessions on
the banks of the Tavy. She therefore acquired, either by
purchase or gift from her daughter Isabella, certain lands
which were vested in her by deed, dated 1273, the King's
confirmation of which is dated 1275; and in the eighth
year of Edward I. (1280) she signed the foundation deed of
Buckland Abbey, vesting in the monks and their successors
the manors of Buckland, Bickleigh, and W^alkhampton, with
the advowsons thereof, and the hundred of Eoboroug'h, for

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 9

the use of the abbey dedicated in honour of God and the
blessed Mary, mother of God, and the blessed Benedict.
From 1273 to 1280 the pious Amicia was, we may conclude,
busily preparing the site and buildings for the reception of
the monks and their servants.

17. The foundress did not go to Ford, as might have been
expected, for men to fill the new house, but she asked the
Abbot of Quarr, the house founded, as I have mentioned,
by the restless Baldwin, the second earl, to send her some
monks, and accordingly Robert the first abbot* and others
were sent from the Isle of Wight to Buckland. As frequently
happened, there was trouble to begin with. It was one of the
rules of the order that there should be no interference with
the parish priest, and that the houses should be under the
jurisdiction of the bishop. But when the monks came to
Buckland they seem to have broken both these rules ; they
began to celebrate divine offices without any consent or
license of the bishop. The bishop of the diocese, the famous
Walter Bronescombe, was not a prelate to view with indif-
ference any encroachment upon the privileges of his see, or
to permit any interference with, or contempt of, the spiritual
jurisdiction rightly belonging to him, and when he heard
that the newly-arrived monks had begun to exercise spiritual
functions in the neighbourhood of their house, he quickly
placed them under an interdict. We do not know the date
of this, but, as we have seen, there were buildings used by or for
the use of the monks before the charter of Amicia. The inter-
dict is referred to in a deed of Bronescombe's, dated 27th May,
1280, in which he recites, that having been petitioned by the
Queen Eleanor (who had doubtless been urged to take up the
cause of the monks by Amicia), he thereby removed the inter-
dict, and permitted them to celebrate divine service until the
feast of Pentecost next following. In June, satisfied with
the conduct of the new-comers, the bishop extended the time
to Michaelmas ; but on the following St. Mary Magdalene's-
day (the day of his death, 22nd July, 1280) Bronescombe
released the monks from all further supervision, and gave
them permission to perform all divine offices for ever there-
after.

18. As I said just now, the Foundation charter vesting the
land in the abbey is dated 8th Edward I. It is interesting
to notice how careful grantees of land in those days were to
have their rights confirmed by all persons in whom there could
be possibly any claim, or right of claim, therein. We con-

* Foundation Deed, Appendix C.
C

10 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

stantly find deed after deed professing to quit claim to land
which we might have thought was effectually vested in the
holder. Here, besides the deed of foundation from Amicia
and the grant from her daughter, the wealthy and powerful
Isabella de Fortibus, it was thought necessary also to obtain
confirmation of the latter from the King, of whom the
lands were to be held in capite. And later, in 1291, when
it would appear that the Countess Amicia, " nobilis mulier
mater nostra carissima domino, Amicia" was dead, another
confirmation was obtained from her daughter.* The deeds
are very interesting, containing the names of places very
familiar to us. The neighbourhood does not seem so utterly
desolate and uncared-for as might have been supposed.
We find mention of stone walls, boundaries, roads, paths,
and houses. Soon after the foundation the title of the
abbey to the hundred of Roborough was called in question,
and the abbot was cited in the king's courts to show his
authority in opposition to that of the crown ; and although
he produced the charters and confirmation by the. king, as
the hundred was not mentioned in the latter, judgment was
given for the crown. But this difficulty must have been
got rid of; for the abbey held the hundred down to the
dissolution.

19. From the registers of the bishops of Exeter, so dili-
gently searched by Dr. Oliver for the purposes of his Monas-
ticon, from a few old deeds, and from leases granted by the
various abbots, we gather some scanty knowledge of the
history of the abbey. No Cartulary, or any other important
record of the abbey, is to be found in any public office or
library, or, as far as I can ascertain, in any private one.

20. In 1336 (11 Edward III.), not 1328, as stated by
Dr. Oliver, the royal license was granted to the abbey and
convent to crenellate the abbey. Mansum dblatice suce,
Abbas et conventus de Buckelond. Perhaps the fear of the
foreigner had something to do with this fortification. It was
not long after this (1339), that the French landed and burnt
a great part of Plymouth; and William, the then abbot,
might have thought that the herds and well -stored barns of
the monks would prove a source of temptation to the
roving Breton, and needed protection, and the abbey was
battlemented.f

* Appendix E.

f " Very few houses of any importance were bnilt in the thirteenth, four-
teenth, and fifteenth centuries without being fortified ; and the law required

a licence from the crown before any house was allowed to be fortified "

Parker. The following is an extract from a licence to fortify (L482) given

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 11

21. The monks appear to have lived a quiet, unosten-
tatious life — not greedy of wealth, or desirous of adding to
their possessions, not quarrelling with their neighbours, as
monks often did, and as landowners sometimes do even in
our more enlightened times, but still occasionally involved in
disputes with reference to their rights. Indeed, almost the
first mention we have of the doings of the monks is to be
found in the record of legal proceedings taken against them
by a servant of the Abbot of Tavistock — his forester, one
Thomas Gyreband — who complained, that having charge
of the wood of Blakemoresham, and coming to a place in it
called Ivyoak, he found Eobert the Abbot of Buckland
and others felling the wood and oaks there, and that on his
attempting to prevent this, the abbot and the others with
darts and hatchets assaulted and beat him, and with a bow and
an arrow made of ash, headed with iron and steel, wounded
him in the right arm, and afterward stole from him an outer
garment. The Abbot and Convent of Buckland pleaded
firstly their clergy, and denied the assault and robbery.
Thomas got the worst of the affair; for he contradicted
himself, and the abbot and his monks were acquitted, and
Thomas committed to gaol for making a false accusation.
And later in the pleadings we find the whole history of the
affair. Blackmoresham wood was, I expect, on the opposite
side of the Tavy, and belonged, as the forester said, to the
Abbey of Tavistock, but the Cistercians had on the river a weir,
and were obliged to keep it in order, and had a right to take
from this place wood for its repair. Whilst obtaining wood,
Thomas assaulted the defendants, and drew blood, and

by Mr. J. H. Parker : " Edward by the grace of God King of England &
France and Lord of Ireland, to all to whom these presents shall come,
greeting. Know ye that we considering the good & gracious services which
our dearly beloved subject Edmund Bedingfeld Esqre, hath before these times
rendered to us from day to day, and which he still continues inclined to
render : of our special favours have granted and given license and by these
presents do grant and give license, for us and our heirs, as far as in us lyeth,
to the said Edmund, that he at his will and pleasure, build, make, and
construct, with stone, lime & sand, towers and walls in and about his manour
of Oxburgh in the County of Norfolk, and that manour with such towers
and walls to inclose, and those towers and walls to embattle, kernel and mache-
collate : and that manour so inclosed, and those walls and towers aforesaid so
embattled, kernell'd, and machicollated, built and constructed, to hold for
himself and his heirs for ever, without perturbation, impeachment, molesta-
tion, impediment, or hindrance from us or our heirs or others whomsoever.
And besides, of our abundant grace, we pardon, remit, and release to the
aforesaid Edmund, all transgressions, offences, misprisions, and contempts,
by him the said Edmund before these times, however done or perpetrated, on
account of his enclosing such walls and towers, embattled, kernelled, mache-
collated, and built as aforesaid, in and upon his said manour," &c. &c.

12 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

in self-defence one of the Buckland men shot Thomas
with an arrow in the arm, whereupon he fled, leaving his
coat, bow, and hatchet, which William le Pye and another
carried away, not as a robbery, but because they were left
there. And the jury found that the defendants were rightly
in the wood and not trespassers, and they were acquitted.*

22. In 1448 the monks considered themselves aggrieved for
that the Lord of the Manor of Stonehouse, James Derneford,
had, in defiance of the rights of the abbot and monks as
lords of the hundred of Koborough, set up at Stonehouse a
pillory and tumbrel, and had held a court of frank-pledge
there. This was a usurpation, and gave rise to much trouble
and unpleasantness. The monks would not allow James
Derneford to use these marks of authority, and he would not
admit that he was wrong, or remove them. At last, as recited
in the award, the whole matter was referred, by the media-
tion of friends, to the decision of William Hylle, the Prior of
Plympton, and James Chudlegh, Esq. The award was in
favour of the abbey ; and besides removing the pillory and
tumbrel, James Derneford had to pay £20, as a fine for his
encroachment.!

23. Thirty years later we find the monks defendants in a
case, which was apparently brought against them, on behalf
of the Crown, for the purpose of ascertaining the rights of
the Duchy of Cornwall in the Forest of the Dartmoors.I The
Abbot, Thomas Oliver, was cited to appear at Lydford, for that
he did on the fourth day of October (18 Edward IV.), 1478,
intrude and make claim upon land in Dartmoor within the
bounds and marks of the forest, and was found culpable ;
and the jury also found that all the lands within the pre-
cincts, marks, and bounds of Dartmoor were of the ancient
demesnes of the said prince, and were called the Fenfield
and Common of Devonshire; and that all waives, strays,
escheats, and presentments of assaults and bloodshed, plaints,
writs of right according to the custom of the manor of Lyd-
ford and assizes of land, were appropriate to the court of
Lydford. As doth appear, says Westcote, by ancient record
remaining in the castle of Lydford. §

24. The agreement in the muniment-room at Powderhara,
which has been quoted by Oliver, || proves how much the
later Cistercians had departed from the strictness of the early

* Oliver, p. 385. f See Appendix F.

J The forest of Dartmoor was permanently attached to the Duchv of
Cornwall in 1337.
§ Westcote's Devon, p. 85. || Oliver's Monasticon, p. 381.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 13

rules of their order. It is dated 28th May, 1522, and is
made between Abbot Whyte and Robert Derkeham, and
shows how Robert, in return for assisting daily in the choir
and teaching four boys of the convent, and also teaching the
boys and any monks who might wish to learn music and the
organ, was to be paid an annuity of £2 13s. 4d., to be provided
with a decent table, to have a furnished room over the west
gate of the monastery, and a gown of the value of 12s. every
year ; to have the reversion of a tenement at Milton, and until
it fell in, feeding for two cows, and a garden, he paying half
the rent. One would have thought that this was very fair
pay as times went for Robert's work ; but his room over
the west gate was cold and dreary in the winter, so he had
also five ounces of bread, a quart of beer, and a wax caudle
every night throughout the year, and thirty horse-loads of
faggots. With these and his books and organ he ought to
have made himself tolerably comfortable. He apparently
appreciated them, and continued in their enjoyment for
some time, for he was alive at the dissolution, and the grant
was allowed by the Augmentation Office, 18th December,
1540.

25. The list of the abbots is incomplete; the following
account contains all that I can glean with reference to them.

The names of the first and second abbots are somewhat
uncertain; from Robert being mentioned in the Foundation
charter, and as the abbot complained of in the proceedings
by the forester Thomas Gyreband, it may be concluded that
he was the first abbot, and, if so, it may be taken for granted
that the second was William, who is mentioned in a grant,
17 Edward I., 1288, by Margaret de Ripariis, the widow of
Baldwin, fifth of that name and eighth Earl of Devon, the
only son of Amicia, the foundress, by which deed she re-
leased to William the Abbot of Bocland and his convent her
claim of dower in the churches of Bocland and Walkhampton,
in consideration of an annuity of £8 paid to her clerk
William de Brenton, for which in default of due payment
the sheriff was to levy by writ of fieri facias on the goods of
the abbey.* Bishops Quivell and Bitton confirmed the grant
of Buckland Church to the Abbey.

Galfridus was the next abbot. During the time of his rule
there were many disputes as to the injury done to the pro-
perty of the Abbey by the working of the silver mines in
the neighbourhood. The complaints of the monks and the
proceedings thereupon are to be found in the Rolls of

* Archaol. Journal, vol. v. p. 58.

14 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Parliament* Thomas Bitton, the Bishop of Exeter, in an
instrument dated 1305, appropriated the church of Walk-
hampton to the use of the monks who were its patrons, and
it recites the enormous devastation done to the woods and
lands of the abbey by the working of the silver mines by the
crown in and around them. The late Sir E. Smirke supposed
these to be the silver mines of Beer, which were about this
time worked with success, but as I do not find that the abbey
ever had any property on the western side of the Tavy, it is
rather difficult to see how their lands could be injured, and
I think there may be some mistake in the identification.

Thomas was abbot as early as 1311, and in 1316 we
find that he and the prior of Plympton entered into an
arrangement (upon the intervention of the Bishop, Walter
Stapeldon, with reference to suit and service of the latter
at the hundred court of Eoborough in respect of the lands
of the priory in Old Blakestou, which was situate within the
hundred, and it was agreed that the attendance should thence-
forth be limited to three courts a year instead of, as I suppose,
four, as theretofore.

The fifth abbot was a second William ; he was party to an
agreement with Ealph de Bellworthy, also with reference to
suit and service at the hundred court of Eoborough. He
was succeeded by Thomas Wappelegh, John Bryton, and
Walter, successively abbots in 1356, 1385, and 1392.

In 1418-19 we find, from a lease granted to William
Pomeroy and his wife and daughter at Buttyckyswordy, in
the manor of Walkhampton, for 65 years, that John was
prior. In May, 1442, William Eolff, who had the protracted
litigation with James Derneford, of Stonehouse, succeeded.
Of the abbots following him we know little. John Spore
succeeded Eolff, 28th September, 1449, and John Hylle,
October 21st, 1454. Thomas Olyver became abbot 20th
March, 1463, and it was against him that the proceedings
at Lydford were taken for the monks' trespass upon Dart-
moor forest, and during the long time that he was head of
the monastery, we find him granting many leases of land for
terms of years determinable on lives. He espoused the cause
of the Earl of Eichmond, afterwards Henry VII., and was
proscribed by Eichard, but lived to see the success of the
former, and continued abbot of Buckland for several years
after his accession. John Brundon, the next, was abbot for
a short time only. Thomas Whyte succeeded, and was abbot
before 1511 and after 1527. It was with him that Eobert

* Rot. Parliam ; see also Oliver's Monasticon, p. 385.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 15

Derkeham, the organist, entered into the agreement I have
referred to.

The sixteenth and last abbot was John Toker, or Tucker, a
member of a Devonshire family and brother to Eobert Tucker,
alderman, and afterwards, in 1543, Mayor of Exeter, who,
Prince says, in his memoir of his grandson William Tucker,
Dean of Lichfield, " with great honour discharged the office." *
The family was settled at Moretonhampstead. The later
pedigree will be found in the Visitation of 1620. He was
blessed by the bishop as abbot of Buckland, 7th June, 1528,
and just ten years afterwards he surrendered the house and
its belongings to the king. During the twelve months,
immediately before the surrender, he had granted leases (no
doubt for a consideration) of the rectorial tithes of the parish
church of Buckland, arid of Walkhampton, Bickleigh, and
Sheepstor, and also of Bampton, to his brother Robert and his
nephews William and Hugh Tucker.

• 26. At the dissolution there were twelve monks in the
house, to all of whom pensions were granted. No complaint
was made as to their conduct ; no breath of scandal or word
of reproach rested on this or any of the Cistercian houses ;
or indeed, as far as I know, and judging from the pension
lists, on any of the religious houses in the west country.
Thus, after only about two centuries and a half, the land
dedicated to God, and set apart for pious uses by Amicia,
was snatched from its holders, who had so well discharged the
trust committed to them, by a tyrannical king and his rapacious
courtiers, aided by a compliant and time-serving parliament.
With miserable pittances the monks were sent forth into a
world to which they were unaccustomed, while the buildings
which had been handed down to them, some of which they
had erected, and the lands they and their predecessors had
tilled and improved, were given to those who had no love for
the monk, who had thus toiled for the stranger who now entered
into his labours ; while, worst of all, the church was gutted
and ruthlessly converted into a dwelling-place for the usiirper.
Whatever opinions may be held as to the expediency of the
existence of monasteries, it is impossible to look impartially
into the history of their dissolution without coming to the
conclusion that a grievous wrong was done to the people of
England, and an injury inflicted upon the commonwealth,
from which perhaps it has not yet recovered. This is not the
place to enter upon a defence, and I do not now wish to
attempt to extenuate, or to say anything upon the religious

* Prince's Worthies, ed. 1810, p. 735.

16 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

bearings of the subject, but the fact remains, that while before
the dissolution these houses were sources of immense good,
mingled perhaps with some things that were undesirable, on
their extinction, their belongings were squandered, and no
effort made to use them for the benefit of the people who had
so largely profited by them in former days. It is very evi-
dent that in such an establishment as that of Buckland,
where there was no grasping after an accumulation of wealth,
no endeavour to extend the possessions of the house, that the
labours of these monks must have been productive of great
good to the locality, and its loss severely felt by the lower
and middle classes of the neighbourhood.

27. The revenues of the abbey were at this time £241
17s. 9£d. per annum, and it was easy to pay out of them, or
out of the proceeds arising from the sale of the plunder, the
pensions granted to Tucker, the last abbot, and his monks.
The abbot had £60 per annum ; and the monks various sums,
beginning with Thomas Maynard, who received £5 6s. 8d.,
down to John Jordan, who had only £3 6s. 8d. a year.

28. What then were the possessions of the abbey at the
time of the dissolution ? I have said that the monks were
not avaricious. From the foundation charter, and the grants
and confirmations, we know that it was originally endowed
with the manors of Buckland, Bickleigh, Walkhampton, and
Collumpton, and the hundred of Eoborough, with the advow-
sons of Buckland, Bickleigh, and Walkhampton, and much
later, in exchange for a part of the hundred of Koborough,
given up to the Corporation of Plymouth in 1464, the
church of Bampton. We find from the Valor Ecclesiasticus
that at the end of the two hundred and sixty years of its
existence the abbey possessed very little more than is men-
tioned in the original grants, the additions consisting only of
a house in Exeter, doubtless for the use of the abbots on their
visits to the bishop, worth £1 6s. 8d. per annum, and a tene-
ment in Saltash worth 8s. per annum. How these were
obtained we do not know.

29. Before going further, I may refer very briefly to the
seals of the abbey. One, apparently the earliest, is from an
impression attached to a deed dated 1310, in which we see in
the centre, under a canopy, the Blessed Virgin and Child, and
below is a shield with what appears to be a lion rampant,
probably representing the arms of the Eedvers, Earls of Devon.
Between the shield and the canopy the word "Amicia"
appears. There is around the margin the legend " SIGILLVM

ECCLESIE LOCI S'CI BENEDICTI DE BOCLAN."

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 17

Another, of about the same date, is said to be a counter or
private seal of the abbot ; but I ain inclined to think that it
does not belong to Buckland, at least I can find no abbot
who was named Stephen, which word appears in the legend.
The seal is from an impression in the British Museum.

Another, mentioned by Dr. Oliver, very similar to the last
mentioned, has a figure of St. Benedict holding the crozier or
pastoral staff in his right hand, and a book in his left. In the
centre, between the figure, is the name Ami-cia divided. The
legend is " >J< s. ABBATIE BOCLAND SANCTI BENEDIGTI."

A fourth has a right hand grasping a pastoral staff, from
which is suspended an olive-branch. The staff passes through
the letter A. The legend is " >J« s. COMMUNE ABBIS ET COVENT'
s'ci BENEDICT!." This last seal is very similar to that used
by St. Bernard himself soon after the establishment of Clair-
vaux in 1115,* and probably this device was used by many
houses.

The arms borne by the abbey were, quarterly, argent and
gules, a crozier, in bend or.

28. After the monks came George Pollard, of London,
for whom the former were ousted from their valley home.
The lands, church, conventual and domestic buildings, were
then intact, and were granted to him the year after the
surrender, 14th December, 1539, for a term of 21 years, at a
rent of ^23 3s. 5d., reserving to the king and his successors
all great timbers, as well as all trees and wood in and upon
the premises being or growing.

29. From the next document it would seem (although it is
not so recited) that George Pollard must have disposed of his
interest under the royal lease, for we find that May 26th,
1541, the king granted, in consideration of the good, true,
and faithful service which his well-beloved servant, Richard
Greynfeld (or, as we are accustomed to call him, Grenville),
of Bideford, knight, heretofore done to us, as for the sum of
£233 3s. 4d. paid by the said Richard Greynfeld, the reversion
of the site of the monastery, houses, buildings, barns, tene-
ments, meadows, pastures, feedings, and also all the church,
belfry, and burial ground, and all houses, buildings, barns,
dove -houses, orchards, gardens, pools, vivaries, land and soil,
as well within as close and near to the site, sept, circuit, and
precinct of the late monastery, as fully and wholly, and in as
ample manner and form, as the last abbot and late convent
held or enjoyed the same, paying £2 6s. 4^d. yearly. And
thus a descendant of the Sir Richard Grenville, who in his

* See Archccol. Journal, vol. xiv. p. 15.
D

18 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

devotion in 1134 had founded and erected the Cistercian
monastery of Neath, in Glamorganshire, became a participator
in the spoil of another house of the same order.

30. I may mention here that it is said that the bells in the
tower of the abbey were given to the church of Egg Buckland.
I do not know how this could happen, as there was no con-
nection between the abbey and this church. In the tower at
Egg Buckland there are at present three bells, one an ancient
one, with the inscription, « ^ Etoce mea lUba Ucpcllo CUttta
UOCtba;" but this might have come from any place. The
two others are dated respectively 1682 and 1768, but may
have been recast from older bells, as there were three bells at
Egg Buckland in 1553 mentioned in the inventory of church
goods of Edward VI.*

31. The Grenvilles did not long continue the owners of
Buckland Abbey. In 1580 the abbey site, house and lands,
were sold by Sir Eichard and Lady Mary Grenville, after
obtaining the royal license to alienate them, in December,
1580, to John Hele and Christopher Harris for £3,400 ; and
nine months later these conveyed the property to Sir Francis
Drake, whose descendants still retain them.t

32. The manor and lands of Collumpton were sold to Sir
George St. Leger, whose son sold them to Thomas Eisdon, by
whom they were divided up and disposed of to tenants and
others. The manor went to the Hillersdens, and from them
to the Sweets.

33. Bickleigh and Walkhampton, and the lands of Hele and
Eynmore, and those in Shaugh and Sheepstor, were purchased
by John Slanniug, September 24th, 1546, through whose
descendants, by the marriage of daughters, they passed to
the Heywoods, and from them, by purchase, to Sir Manasseh
Massey Lopes, and are now held by his grandson Sir Massey
Lopes.

34. The manor of Buckland, with the advowson of the
church, was sold, 12th April, 1546, to a London haberdasher,
Eichard Crymes and his wife, for £1,451. Their descendants
continued in the neighbourhood for some time, and inter-
married with the Coplestones, Prideauxes, Drakes, Glanvilles,
and other Devonshire families. About 1620, on, I suppose,
the death of William Crymes, large portions of the property
were sold, long leases being granted ; but the manor was
retained for some years later. In 1660, however, this was
also disposed of to the Slaunings, and from them, on the

* Exeh. Queen's Rem., T. G. 6211 N. f.
f Appendix I. Drake pedigree.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 19

marriage of daughters, it descended to the Heywoods in the
same way as the Bickleigh and Walkhampton properties, and
like them is now held by Sir Massey Lopes. The patronage
of the vicarage was held by the Cryraes family until a com-
paratively late period. It now belongs to the Hayne family.

35. Where the houses in Saltash and Exeter were situated
I cannot ascertain, nor how or to whom they were disposed
of.

36. In conclusion I have to describe the remains of the
Abbey buildings as they now exist, but I must first observe
that I cannot vouch for the absolute correctness of every
statement I may make, inasmuch as the alterations, removals,
and additions have been so extensive as to prevent absolute
certainty of identification. Although I suspect that Sir Kichard
Grenville destroyed the greater part of the buildings, reserving
only such as were useful for the purposes of his new house,
yet much was left, portions of which appear to have been
removed in recent years.

37. The earliest drawing that I can find, — although it is
very rough, is interesting and suggestive, and to some
extent valuable, — is in the ancient map of the Forest of
Dartmoor, brought under the notice of our society at the
last Exeter meeting by Mr. C. Speuce Bate. In that map
the Abbey Church of Buckland is represented much as we
should have expected to find it — a long church with choir,
nave, and central tower. It is always pleasant to overthrow
the theory of another, and I am able to do so with respect to
Mr. Bate's theory, that the map is of the date 1240 or there-
about. But at this time the Abbey Church could not have
been there, for the Abbey was not founded or thought of
for nearly forty years after. I think that the map is two
centuries later than the date Mr. Bate assigns to it. You
will notice the long cruciform building with low central
tower,* no aisles, and south transept. The chancel longer
than the nave is, I believe, the draughtsman's error, for the
choir was always short, and there was no lady chapel, the
whole church being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. If there
were aisles, I think they would have been shown, as the
drawing is the largest of any on the map, and in the repre-
sentations of much smaller churches, aisles are distinctly to
be seen. The lines indicating buildings beyond, do not, I am of
opinion, represent the parish church of Bucklaud Monachorum,
but the Abbey buildings, and if so, here again the substantial

" * Turres lapidse ad campanas non fiant, nee ligneae altitudinis immoderate,
quae ordinia dedeceant simplicitatem." — Norn. Cist.

20 THE CISTEECIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

accuracy of the map is proved. One thing in the drawing
I do not understand, the door-way shown in the transept.
As a general rule the conventual buildings of the Cistercians
were on the south side of the church, but occasionally, when
the nature of the ground prevented their being so placed, we
find the buildings on the north, and so it was at Buckland.
The Cistercians, and indeed nearly all monks, loved the
valleys, and they preferred shelter to the lex non scripta of
the order. Here, on the south side of the church, the ground
rises somewhat suddenly, and without a good deal of excava-
tion sites for the buildings could not have been obtained.
To the north, therefore, the monks went, and I think we may
conclude that the chapter-house, the refectory, and the bulk
of the buildings were on the north side of the cloister.

Leland only just refers to the Abbey, and no further infor-
mation is attainable with reference to the buildings until
we come to Buck's view, published in 1734, in which,
although as to the surrounding scenery, and also in the draw-
ing of some portions of the remains, there is a considerable
amount of romance, it shows, that various alterations have
been made, and some buildings altogether removed. Nearly
fifty years later we have a plan of the house and its sur-
roundings, to which the same remarks apply, many erections
being there shown which cannot now be found. None of
these help us in fixing the site of the conventual buildings ;
nor will the three important buildings still remaining, to a
great extent intact — the church, the porter's lodge (after which
I put a query), or the barn — render us much assistance.

38. On visiting the house (for Abbey now is a misnomer),
after passing down one of the noble avenues leading there-
to, and resting on the high ground to the north to admire
the magnificent view of the country, on the banks of the
Tamar and Tavy, stretching far away towards the sea, we
shall find ourselves in a narrow valley shut in on the north,
south, and east, with the ground gently sloping towards the
west, until the little stream we cannot fail to notice falls
into the river some short distance below. A spot more suit-
able for the Cistercian could not be found. Far from the busy
town and haunts of men, and yet sufficiently near for the sale
of wool, and for disposing of the produce of their farms, the
monks settled down to their varied tasks, and praying and
labouring, quickly made their little valley fertile, and caused
it to become the centre of a new life.

39. Before the monks from Quarr could take possession, it
was necessary that a church, or at least an oratory, for wor-

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 21

ship should be provided, with a refectory and dormitory for
the monks, a guest-room for strangers, and a porter's lodge.
With these the little community started ; and soon the more
stately church began to rise, with the domestic and farm
buildings, the fratry, the scriptorium, the long building for
the conversi, with sleeping-rooms above, and the great barn.
The little stream was diverted into various channels, and
used in different ways. One channel was the common sewer
of the monastery, another, carefully banked and tended, led to
the fish-ponds, important sources of supply in a Cistercian
house. And so the Abbey of Buckland grew, and with their
home barton of nearly 800 acres, besides a large extent of
moorland and pasture, with outlying farms, the little band
had soon work enough to occupy their time and thoughts.
And so they worked until the crash came, and they were
sent forth to live as best they might on the pensions allowed
them.

40. There has been found on the south side some little build-
ing rubbish, but there is nothing to lead us to suppose that
there was anything of consequence on this side. The cloister
was probably on the north-east. Just inside the gate of the
garden is an old wall, shown in Buck's view, running almost
from north to south. At the extreme south end on the western
side is a recess with a stone seat, and this wall may be the
eastern wall of the cloister. West of this is a building, which
I think may be the porter's lodge, and perhaps a part of the
entrance gate. It is now used with the stables. The window
in front is really a blocked-up door-way, opening into a little
hall or porch, lighted with a window on the north. Below is
a cellar, with a window west, and opposite the window an
entrance (now blocked up) to some place beyond. Over the
little hall is a small room, reached by a newel staircase in
the turret, and over this a platform. The platform on the top
of the turret is reached by the continuation of the staircase.
The whole appears to be late fourteenth century work ; but in
the arch in the cellar, and in the archway of the entrance, from
what I have called the little hall, to the building beyond, what-
ever it might have been, the character of the earlier work in
the church is imitated. This building is always called the bell
turret, which it certainly never was. It is shown in Buck's
view, and on the plan of 1769, but then apparently connected
with the church.

41. Opposite this building, on the last-mentioned plan,
are shown various erections not now to be found, but prob-
ably represented by a group of buildings which either formed

22 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

part of the monastery, or which were constructed with the
old materials ; more especially a large door-way facing west
may be mentioned, and traces of other buildings extending
upwards towards the north may be seen. Nothing certain is
known as to the situation of the churchyard, or of any of the
important buildings ; but I have no doubt that the founda-
tions of the latter are below the surface, and if excavation
was permitted, considerable information with reference to
many important matters, of which we are now entirely igno-
rant, might be obtained.

42. The orchards, now as formerly, are on the north side,
west of the monastery, with a south aspect. The remains of
three fish-ponds are easily made out, portions of the banks
and traps remaining. The grand barn, upwards of 100 feet
in length, with its fine door-way, remains externally much as
the monks left it. Useful to their successors, the barn was
spared the destruction and mutilation suffered by its neigh-
bours.

43. The noble yews and cedars will not fail to attract the
notice of the visitor as he approaches the house, otherwise
the church, which we now come to. 1 think we may safely
conclude that the present walls are those of the original
church, and we have a plan at once simple and unusual,*
consisting, as I have mentioned, of chancel, nave, and soutli
transept. The present building is about 130 feet long and
33 broad. The chancel is 24 feet long. The breadth of
the transept is 24 feet, and the depth from north to south
probably the same, consisting of two bays, the column divid-
ing them still remaining on the east side. The south wall of
the transept is gone, and the bay of the tower leading into
it is walled up. The capitals of the columns at the junction
of the tower and transept are clearly distinguishable, as well
as the corbels, drawings of which I have here. These are very
interesting, and if they are, as I believe them to be, Early
English, Mr. Sharpe tells me that they are the earliest known
in Cistercian architecture.

44. Built into a wall over a door-way in the grounds is a
large boss of great interest, from which shafts are seen
spreading off, and which has evidently been the centre of a
groined ceiling. When I first saw it I thought it was a
mitred head, but it is clearly the head of a female. The
upper pointed part is the head-dress, and below is a coronet,
and whether the work is early or late, I have little doubt
but that it is intended to represent the features of the

* The plan of Grey Abbey, County Down, Ireland, is similar.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 23

foundress of the abbey, the widowed Countess Amicia. From
what part of the abbey it came it is impossible to say, and it
is equally impossible to assign a reason for its preservation.

45. On entering the house we shall find that it has been
divided into a series of floors, and although somewhat in-
tricate in its arrangements, it makes a very commodious and
comfortable residence. It has, however, been so interfered
with and so covered with plaster and battened throughout,
that an investigation of architectural details is difficult, and
in many places impossible. The string course on either side
of the nave can be traced here and there from end to end
as far as the tower. The tower appears to be perfect. It has
been divided into floors. In the second from the top the
great arches over the crossing can be traced. On the south
and west these are perfect, the latter especially so, the whole
of the stonework being uncovered and as sharp as when the
workmen left it five hundred years ago. The southern arch
is partly built into and plastered, but no doubt perfect. The
eastern one is entirely covered up; but I think it is of a
different character, being one of construction only, and not of
ornament as well. The northern archway is formed of rubble
masonry, and is of a different pitch, and I believe that there
was a window here. The springers of the vaulting shafts
remain, but I am inclined to think that the stone vaulting
was never completed. Below the eastern arch we find north
and south, parts of the columns, with their capitals, at the
commencement of the chancel. The chancel arch was much
lower than those of the nave and transept, but of the same
character; and there seems to have been another arch of
a similar size on the north side of the choir. On the
north side of the nave is a very curious and beautifully
vaulted little chamber, apparently opening from the tower,
and with openings also on the east and west, with a window
on the north. I think this must have been a porch or passage
leading into the cloister, or in connection with the monks'
dormitory, affording from thence easy access to the church.
The church is not truly oriented, being situated E.N.E. The
Cistercians do not seem to have been particular as to this
matter. I have only briefly mentioned these points in connec-
tion with the ancient buildings in order to draw attention to
them, and in the hope that some one more skilled in working
out the details of ancient buildings may take up the subject
and give us a full architectural history of the Abbey Church
of Buckland.

46. Pass we now to the more modern house into which the

24 THE CISTEECIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Cistercian Church was converted. The hall is a fine room,
decorated with panels and Jacobean carvings in oak, said to
have been brought from the manor-houses of Callisham and
Durance, in the parish of Heavy, by the Drakes. Some of
the figures are beautifully carved, but unfortunately the whole
has been painted over. Over the chimney-piece is the date
MCCCCCLXXVI. Assuming this date to be genuine, and as
it is in plaster and corresponds with the rest of the plaster-
work of the hall, I think there is no reason to doubt it,
it shows that the conversion was accomplished during the
ownership of the Grenvilles, and thus Kisdon's statement
that Sir Eichard Grenville built a fair new house, which
certainly he did not, is explained. There is no doubt, I
think, that he destroyed the greater part of the monastic
buildings, completed the house, and laid out the surrounding-
land in pleasure-grounds and gardens.

47. Sir Francis Drake has left no traces of his possession
of the abbey, but the old bowling-green is shown on the map
of 1769. In the staircase is a portrait of Don Pedro de Valdez,
one of the vice-admirals of the Spanish Armada, who was
taken prisoner by Drake, and kept by him at Buckland Abbey
until his friends had paid the round sum which Drake doubt-
less required as his ransom ; although, as Speed says, " Sir
Francis his souldiers had well paid themselves with the spoile
of the shippe, wherein were 55,000 ducats in gold, which they
shared merrily among them."* The rest of the officers and
men were detained in Plymouth for eighteen months until
the ransoms arrived, and no doubt the Don spent the same
length of time with his captor. His portrait shows him to
have been every inch a Spanish cavalier — a noble figure, with
handsome features, presenting a strange contrast to the portrait
of Drake, whose appearance is the direct opposite in every
respect.

48. In one of the floors of the tower, the second, is a
mantel-piece with the shield, crest, and motto of Sir Francis
in plaster. On the left side or flank is a shield bearing the
ancient arms of the Drakes — a wyvern displayed, quartered
with the new grant of a fess-wavy between two polar stars.
Below is the date 1655 and the letters E. N. Sir Francis
Drake, the second baronet, the great nephew of the Sir
Francis, whose portrait is also at Buckland Abbey, was at
this time in possession of the estates, but I cannot explain

* Barrow's Life of Drake, p. 131. The ship -was the St. Francis, a
galleon of 50 guns, and with a crew of 500 men. See English Mei curie
No. 50, July 23rd, 1588.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 25

the meaning of the letters R N. On the right flank of the
chimney-piece are two shields, the first apparently a bird
naiarit, and the second three mullets within as many in cres-
cents 2 and 1, with an acorn as a crest. Dr. Drake has sug-
gested to me that the former may be a canting coat — a duck
or drake swimming upon water. The second shield is that of
Gregorie,* of Plympton St. Mary. Elizabeth Gregorie married
first John Elford, of Sheepstor, and secondly Thomas Drake,
the brother and heir of Sir Francis.

49. As every guide-book says, relics of the great navigator
(these words seem indispensable) are to be found at the abbey.
His drum (really there are two), and his Bible, sword, and
shield, the two latter, most unlike what he would probably
have used, are to be seen. In the dining-room is the well-
known portrait of Sir Francis, and in the staircase, besides
those of Don Pedro de Valdez and the second baronet, are two
other family portraits, and a painting, apparently an allegorical
subject, supposed to refer to some incident in the history of
the Drake family. The other portraits are those of Charles II.
in armour, and his queen, and Nell Gwynne.

50. The translations in the Appendix of some of the docu-
ments relating to the abbey will be found of interest. The
names of places have not much changed, and the boundaries
of the properties can be approximately ascertained.

DOCUMENTS.
A.

The following documents relating to Buckland Abbey will
be found as under : —

Carta Regis Edwardi Prirai. (Called "Edwardi Secundi" in
Dugdale.)— Ibid ; Dugdale, vol. v. p. 714; Oliver, p. 384.

Carta fundationis per Araiciam Comitissam Devonia?. Cart. 8
Ed. I. n. 85. — Dugdale, vol. v. p. 712; Oliver, p. 382; trans.
App. (C).

Carta Amicise Comitissre Devoniae, &c. — Ibid; Dugdale, vol. v.
p. 714; Oliver, p. 384.

Carta Walter! Exon Episcopi. — Reg. Exon. Epis., f. 96 ; Dug-
dale, vol. v. p. 713; Oliver, p. 383; Oliver, Hist. Col., p. 71.

Carta alia Walteri Episcopi. — Reg. Bronesc., f. 97 ; Dugdale,
vol. v. p. 713; Oliver, p. 383; Oliver, Hist. Col., p. 72.

Carta Isabellas de Fortibus Comitissre Albemarla3. — Pat 9,
Hen. IV. p. ii. m. 18; Dugdale, vol. v. p. 713; Oliver, p. 383.

De Libertatibus Abbatis de Bocland. — Oliver, p. 384.

* Az. within three in crescents or, as many mullets ar.
E

26 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

De Damno facto abbati de Bocland per minerarios et custodes
minene regis. — Oliver, p. 385.

Compositio inter abbatem et conventu de Bocland et abbatem et
conventu de Ford de secta hominem de Tale ad hundredum de
Harige. — Oliver, p. 385.

Indulgentia pro adjuvantibus ad fabricura Ecclesia3 Cathedralis
ExoniaB consummandum. — Oliver, p. 386.

Taxatio et ordinatio vicariae de Walkhampton. — Oliver, p. 386.

Conventio inter abbatem de Buclond et quendam Belworthi pro
secta ad hundredum de Rowborough. — Oliver, p. 386.

Ordinatio vicarise de Bickleigh et visitatio ibidem. — Oliver,
p. 387.

Appropriatio ecclesia3 parochialis de Baunton, taxatio vicaria?
ibidem, et diverse facilitates factae et concessa3 per literas papales.
— Oliver, p. 388.

B.

CONFIRMATION BY THE KING OF THE GIFT TO AMICIA.

Edward, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of
Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine. To all to whom this
writing shall come, greeting. Know ye that we have
conceded and confirmed to Amicia, Countess of Devon, the
manor of Buckland, with the hamlets of Columpton, Walk-
hampton, and Bickeley, together with all and singular their
appurtenances wheresoever situate ; To have and to hold to
the same Amicia, according to the form and tenor of the
deeds which she had from the gift of Isabella de Fortibus,
Countess of Albemarle, her daughter ; And if it shall happen
that the said Amicia should wish to give and to assign the
said manor and hamlets with all their appurtenances whatso-
ever to religious men, and with them to found a new religious
house, know ye that we for ourselves and for our heirs, will
consider and accept that gift as acceptable, provided that the
said house, after the decease of the said Amicia, shall be held
of us and our heirs in capite. And we faithfully promise to
confirm it, when founded or appointed, in pure and perpetual
alms. In witness, &c. Witness myself at Odiham, 8th day
of August, in the 4th year of our reign.

C.

THE DEED OF FOUNDATION.

In the name of the most glorious and undivided Trinity,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen, and by the
favour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary and of the Blessed
Benedict, we, Amicia Countess of Devon and Lady of the

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 27

Isle, trusting in the goodness of the Supreme Maker of all
good things, who disposes the wills of both men and women
at his pleasure, and faithfully directs them though unseen,
and sustains our hope by the revelation of His mind
if we offer anything in perpetual memory to the honour of
His name; We found the Abbey, which \ve desire should
be called or entitled St. Benedicts of Buckland, which is
in our manor of Buckland, for the perpetual maintenance
of abbots and monks of St. Benedict of the Cistercian
order there to dwell, for the health of the souls of the Lord
Henry, formerly King of England, the noble Queen Dame
Eleanor his wife, and their children, of the Lord Edward, our
illustrious King of England, the son of the same Henry, the
noble Queen Dame Eleanor his wife, and the children of the
same, and for the health of the souls of the Lord Gilbert of
Clare, formerly Count of Gloucester and Hertford, our father,
and the Countess Isabella, our mother, and the souls of
Baldwin, Earl of Devon, our husband, and Isabella our
daughter, Countess of Devon and Albemarle, and Margaret,
our daughter, nun of Lacock, and for the souls of all our
ancestors and descendants, and of all to whom we are bound
for any kindness, we set apart, and give, concede, and have
assigned as an abode and abbey for the aforesaid abbots and
monks, and we decree that abbots and monks of the aforesaid
order shall dwell for ever in the same abbey. And to this
abbey, to Brother Eobert, the abbot, and for the support
of the monks dwelling in the same house, which have been
bought by us from Quarr Abbey, and to their successors,
for ever in honour ol God and of the most Blessed Mary,
Mother of God, and the Blessed Benedict ; we give and we
grant the same our manor of Bocland, and our manors of
Columpton, Bykeley, and Walkampton, with the advow-
sons of the churches, and with the hundred of Rugheberewe,
with all service, as well of free-tenants, villiens, as of others
belonging to the said hundred, with all their appurtenances,
as in demesnes and seigniories, military service, services of
freed men, villeins and villanages, with their chattels suits,
reliefs, aids, rents, heriots, heirships, escheats, aids of every
kind, meadows, pasturages, pastures, ways, paths, woods,
arable land, mills, waters, fisheries, moors, heaths, turbaries,
together with all liberties and free customs acquired by us
for the same abbey, with all other appurtenances, named and
not named, which belong to the said manors and hundred, or
which can in any way belong by whatever name they may be
known, without any reservation by us, or by our heirs, and

28 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

we have confirmed the same by this present charter to the
said abbot and convent and their successors, to be held in
free and full alms for ever, freely, quietly, well and peaceably
for ever, without any contradiction or impediment by us or
our heirs.

And we, the said Amicia and our heirs, will warrant, and
acquit, and for ever defend the said abbot and convent and
their successors to the manor, with the advowson of the
churches and with the said hundred together with all liberties
and free customs, and other appurtenances, named and not
named, which to the said manor and the said hundred in
any way belong or can belong in holy, pure, and perpetual
alms, as aforesaid, against all Nations, whether Christians or
Jews. And that this my gift, concession, and confirmation
of this my present deed may remain firm and binding, we
have caused this our seal to be placed unto this deed.
Witnesses Hugo Peverell, William of Bikells, Thomas of Pyn,
Warren of Secchevill, Reginald de Ferrars, Knights, John of
Valletort, Richard Heavy, Ralph of Lenham, Stephen of
Stoyll, Baldwin the Bastard, Humphrey of Donesterre, and
others.

D.

DEED OF AMICIA COUNTESS OF DEVON.

Know all men, now and to come, that we Amicia Countess
of Devon and Lady of the Isle [in our lawful widowhood]
with the thought of God and for the health of the souls of
Lord Henry, formerly King of England, and the noble Queen
Dame Eleanor, his wife and their children, and of the Lord
Henry, formerly King of England, son of the same King
Henry and the noble Queen Dame Eleanor, his wife ami
their children, and for the health of the sonls of Lord
Gilbert of Clare, formerly Earl of Gloucester and Hertford,
our father, and the Countess Isabella, our mother, and
Baldwin, Earl of Devon, our husband, and for the health of
our souls and the souls of Baldwin, our son, formerly Earl of
Devon, and Isabella, our daughter, Countess of Devon and
Albemarle, our daughter, nun of Lacock, and of all our ances-
tors and successors, and of all to whom we are bound by any
favours, and of others who do or shall bestow alms or any
favours have given and granted, and confirm by this present
writing to God, and the Blessed Mary, and St. Benedict, and
to Brother Robert and his convent taken from Quarr, and their
successors of the Cistercian order in holy, free, pure, and per-

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 29

petual alms, for building and perpetually supporting an
abbey in honour of Mary, most blessed Mother of God, and
the blessed Benedict, the manors of Buckland, Bickley, and
\Yalkhampton according to their metes and bounds ; that is
to say, from the Lobbapilla, on the western part of Bocland
towards the north and east, through the middle of the water
of Tavy, and from Walkhampton to the boundaries of Dart-
moor, on the northern part of Mistor, and thence towards the
south by the boundaries of the Verderers (regard or urn) of
Dartmoor, that is to say, by Mistorhead (Mistor panna), and
by Hysfochres, and by Siwards Cross and Gyltesburgh and
Plymciundla to the Plym, and thence by the Plym towards
the west to Yaddabrook, and so by the bounds which sur-
round Kydemore and Smalacumba, that is to say, by the old
ditch to the angle of the ditch of Yllalonde, and thence by
Hurtwallen to Smalacumbacrosse and Smalacumbalak, and
by the water course of Meavy to Olyak, and by the ditch to
the road which leads from Plympton to Schitestor, and so by
the stone bounds to Biricombaford and by Crewecumba, and
Denebrok, and [along] the course of the river Meavy to
Schollaford, and so by the old boundaries to Yanedonecross,
and thence by the bounds to Stoford and Lake and Churche-
ford, and by the divisions between Elleford and Crosseton to
Elfordlak and to the course of the river Meavy, and so to the
place where the Meavy falls into the Plym, and along the
Plym towards the divisions of Hescombe, and to the cross
roads beyond Purpris, and thence by passing along the way
which leads from Cadaworth bridge to Plympton through
the land of the Schagh towards the east as far as Shitaburgh,
and thence by old bound-stones to Haneketorr, and thence
towards the west and north through the land of Farnhill to
Maynstonktown and Maynstoncross and Horingbrook and to
Writewillak, and thence by a certain footpath to Pudehel,
including Southpudehel, and so along the bounds towards
the east to Horsford, and thence along the ancient metes to
"Writewille and Horyngbrok, and so to the Plym and to
Wolewillebroke and to Wolewille Cross, and thence by the
road which leads from Sutton to Tavistock at Copriscrosse,
and thence towards the north along the ancient ditch to
Bycacumbayoneda, and so along the ancient bounds to
Lobbapilla.

And the lands and villeins of Tor at Shitestorr, lying near
to the manor of Bickleigh, with the appurtenances and with
their villanages and chattels and belongings, and the hundred
of Koborough, and with all profits thence arising with all

30 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

suits of freemen and bondmen, and with everything which
belongs or may belong to the said hundred.

We have also given, granted, and confirmed to the same
abbot and convent and their successors the lands and villeins
of Torr at Schitestor, adjoining the manor of Buckeleye, with
their chattells and suits.

We also have given, granted, and confirmed, to the same
abbey and convent and their successors the hundred of
Koborough with all profits thence arising, with all suits of
freemen and villains, and with all liberties, free customs, or
whatever things belong to the hundred or can accrue or
belong in any way to the same.

We also have given, granted, and confirmed to the same abbot
and convent and their successors the manor of Columptou,
according to its bounds, that is to say, from Colump by the
land of St. Nicholas of Exeter to Smalabrok, and by the
outer bounds of the land of la Brok to the road which leads
to Padokbrok, and thence by Lutteskeskell and Ponteford,
and by the boundaries from Hillesdon to Burn, and by Linor
arid Sweton, and Morston and Burn to Culump, and so by
la Ny weloud to Rotherford Bridge, and a certain piece of land
on the eastern part of that water near Kyngesmill, and thence
by Stonweya, Crundla, Waterleta, Halstrewa, Westerhays, and
Lattemere, to Cliff brigg, with the lands of Halsholte, and
the meadows and woods of Swenham, and with the advowsons
of the churches of Boclond, Walkamptou, and Bykelie, with
the chapel of Schitestorr, with all that to the same manor and
lands, and to the same hundred belong, whether in suit of
court, demesnes, seignories, knight's fees, homage, scutage,
service of free men, &c., without any reservation by us or
our heirs. To have and to hold freely of the lord the king
and his heirs to the same abbey and convent, and their
successors, the same manor and lands, with the advowsons
of the churches of Boclond, Walkampton, and Byklie, and
the chapels of Schitestorr, and with the aforesaid hundred,
with all their appurtenances whatsoever in holy, free, pure,
and perpetual alms, free, &c. These being witnesses, Sir Henry
of Chauuibernon, Oliver de Denham, Hugo Peverell, &c.

E.

CHARTER OF ISABELLA DE FORTIBUS WITH METES AND BOUNDS.

To all the faithful in Christ to whom this present writing
shall come, Isabella de Fortibus, Countess of Albemarle and
Devon and Lady of the Isle, health in the Lord : Enow ye that

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 31

we have granted and confirmed and by this present writing
quit claim for ourselves and our heirs, to God and the
monastery of the Blessed Mary and the Blessed Benedict of
Buckland, and to the Abbot and Convent, and to their
successors of the Cistercian order serving God in the same
monastery, and to all those who shall hereafter serve him
(there), all gifts and grants which the noble woman, our
dearest mother Lady Amicia, formerly Countess of Devon
and Lady of the Isle, obtained and gave to the same, namely,
the manors of Boclond, Bykelie, and Walkampton, accord-
ing to their metes and divisions, that is to say, from the
Lobbapilla, on the western part of Bocland towards the
north and east, through the middle of the water of Tavy,
and from Walkharnpton to the boundaries of Dartmoor, on
the northern part of Mistor, and thence towards the south by
the boundaries of the Verderers (regardorurn) of Dartmoor, that
is to say, by Mistorhead (Mistor panna), and by Hysfochres,
and by Siwards Cross and Gyllesburgh and Plymcrundla
to the Plym, and thence by the Plym towards the west to
Yaddabrook, and so by the bounds which surround Rydemore
and Smalacumba, that is to say, by the old ditch to the angle
of the ditch of Yllalonde, and thence by Hurtwallen to
Smalacumbacrosse and Srnalacumbalak, and by the water
course of Meavy to Olyak, and by the ditch to the road
which leads from Plympton to Schitestorr, and so by the stone
bounds to Biricombaford and by Crewecumba, and Denebrok,
and [along] the course of the river Meavy to Schollaford, and
so by the old boundaries to Yanedouecross, and thence by
the bounds to Stoford and Lake and Churcheford, and by the
divisions between Elleford and Crosseton to Elfordlak and to
to the course of the river Meavy, and so to the place where
the Meavy falls into the Plym, and along the Plym towards
the divisions of Hescombe, and to the cross roads beyond
Purpris, and thence by passing along the way which leads
from Cadaworth bridge to Plympton through the land of
the Schagh towards the east as far as Shitaburgh, and thence by
old bound-stones to Haueketorr, and thence towards the west
and north through the land of Farnhill to Maynstonktown
and Maynstoncross and Horingbrook and to Write willak,
and thence by a certain footpath to Pudehel, including
Southpudehel, and so along the bounds towards the east to
Horsford, and thence along the an dent metes to Write wille
and Horyngbrok, and so to the Plym and to Wolewillebroke
and to Wolewille Cross, and thence by the road which
leads from Sutton to Tavistock at Copriscrosse, and thence

32 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

towards the north along the ancient ditch to Bycacum-
bayoneda, and so along the ancient bounds to Lobbapilla.

And the lands and villeins of Tor at Shitestorr, lying near
to the manor of Bykelie, with the appurtenances and with
their villanages and chattels and belongings, and the hundred
of Koborough, and with all profits thence arising with all
suits of freemen and bondmen, and with everything which
belongs or may belong to the said hundred.

And the manor of Coluinpton according to its bounds, that
is to say from Colurnp by the land of St. Nicholas of Exeter
to Snialabrok, and by the outer bounds of the land of la
Brok to the road which leads to Padokbrok, and thence by
Lutteskeskell and Ponteford, and by the boundaries from
Hillesdon to Burn, and by Linor and Sweton, and Morston
and Burn to Culuinp, and so by la Nywelond to Eotherford
Bridge, and a certain piece of land on the eastern part of
that water near Kyngesmill, and thence by Stonweya,
Crundla, Waterleta, Halstrewa, Westerhayes, and Lattemere,
to Clifbrigg, with the lands of Halsholte, and the meadows
and woods of Swenham and their appurtenances. And the
land of Lygh with its appurtenances in Sampford Spiny.
And the advowsons of the churches of Bocland Walkampton
and Bykelie with the Chapel of Scitestorr. And all things which
belong to the aforesaid manors and lands, and to the aforesaid
hundred whether in suits of courts, rights, seignories, military
service, homage, scutage, services of freemen, bondmen, with
their services, chattels and suits, wards, marriage rights,
reliefs, aids, rents, heriots, and escheats of all kinds, with mea-
dows, pastures, pasturages, ways, paths, woods, arable land,
mills with their dams and tolls, dove cotes, waters, fisheries,
fish ponds, alder beds, moors, wastes, heaths, turbaries, strays,
waifs, together with all liberties and free customs, and all
other things, and appurtenances named and not named, which
belong to the said manor and land, and to the said hundred or
which from them to us, or to our heirs may accrue without any
reservation or demand ; to have and to hold the aforesaid
manors, lands, hundred and advowsons of churches, and the
aforesaid chapel with all their liberties, possessions, and ap-
purtenances, by whatever name known, of our lord the king
and his heirs, to the aforesaid abbot and convent, and to their
successors of the aforesaid order, freely, quietly, entirely, ab-
solutely, well, and in peace, without any exaction or demand,
actions, or hindrance from us or of our heirs, in free and pure
alms for ever.

And we the said Isabella will for ever acquit and defend

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 33

to the said abbot and convent, and their successors, the said
manors and lands, advowsons of churches, and the said chapel,
and the aforesaid hundred with all their liberties, things, and
appurtenances, named and not named, against all nations,
Jews or Christians. In witness whereof we have affixed
our seal to the present charter with these witnesses, Brother
Eichard, prior of Christ Church, Twynham ; Brother Thomas,
prior of Brommor; Sir Eichard, Fitz John, Eichard of Affeton;
Hugo of Peverell ; Gilbert of Kuovile ; Eeginald of Ferrers
Knights ; Ealph of Lynham ; Stephen Stoil ; William of
Stapeldon; Simon of Travailesworth; William of Budekeside;
Eobert of Coleford; and others. Given at Brommor, the
Feast of St. Edmund, King and Martyr, 1291.

F.

AWARD OF THE PRIOR OF PLYMPTON AND JAMES CHUDLEIGH.
THE PRIOR OF PLYMPTON, ETC.

To all the faithful in Christ to whom the present letters
indented shall come. We, William the Prior of Plympton
and James Chudleigh, Esq., send greeting in the Lord ever-
lasting. Whereas divers suits and discords have been moved
between William the Abbot of the House and Church of
the blessed Mary of Bokelond of the one part, and James
Derneford, Esq., of the other part, at length, by the interven-
tion of friends between the parties aforesaid, peace hath been
obtained in this manner ; viz., that the parties aforesaid have
submitted themselves to stand our judgment, ordinance, and
award in the premisses, whereupon the aforesaid abbot by
his council hath declared to us that whereas he and his
predecessors from time to time, to the contrary whereof the
memory of man is not, have held, and of right ought to
have, the hundred of Eoweborgh and a court of view of
frankpledge, to be holden three times in the year at Eowe-
borgh, and all which to view of frankpledge pertains, and also
chatties of felons, fugitives, and escapes, of thieves, tumbrel,
gallows, and pillory, with all the suit of free men and villeins,
and with all liberties, free customs, or whatsoever things which
to the hundred do pertain, or in any manner may accrue or
pertain, as of the right of his church aforesaid. Nevertheless
the aforesaid James Derneford hath caused to be set up a
certain pillory and tumbrel at Estonhouse, and hath caused
a certain court to be holden at Estonhous, within the pre-
cinct of the hundred aforesaid, and there hath caused to be
presented in his court aforesaid by his ministers the assize of

F

34 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

bread and ale there levied, and effusion of blood and of arms
and injuries done against the peace, and other articles which
ought to be presented in the view of frankpledge at the
hundred aforesaid; and hath refused the bailiffs and ministers
of the said abbot to levy amerciaments and distress at Eston-
hous of himself and his tenants there, and hath caused such
and so many injuries to them that they are greatly impeded
about the business of the said abbot in exercising his office
there, so that the same abbot hath lost the profit of his
hundred aforesaid for five years past, which "he ought to have
received within the precinct of his visne of the manor of
Estonhous aforesaid during the same time ; whereupon the
aforesaid J. Derneford being summoned before us, the afore-
said arbitrators says that he does not claim any right in the
premises, or any parcel thereof, as against him is declared,
nor hereafter intends to claim, but supposeth himself to be
thereof not guilty. Therefore we the arbitrators taking upon
ourselves the burthen of the arbitration, having heard the
proofs thereof and mature deliberation thereupon had, do
arbitrate, order, and adjudge on Thursday next after the
feast of Saint Barnabas the apostle, in the 26th year of the reign
of King Henry VI. at Boklond Monochorum, that the afore-
said pillory and tumbrel and every of them, together with
appurtenances and supports, before Thursday next coming,
shall be deposed, destroyed, and removed, and thereafter not
erected, nor the same or any other be there used by the afore-
said James Derneford, his heirs, or assignes, or by any other
by his procurement. Also we arbitrate, order, and adjudge
that the aforesaid James Derneford and his heirs shall
not hereafter hold any court with view to frankpledge at
Estonhouse aforesaid, nor on any manner intromit himself,
nor delay the said abbot and his successors concerning any
articles which to view of frankpledge pertain, and he and his
heirs shall permit the bailiffs and ministers of the said abbot
and his successors at Estonhous aforesaid to collect, levy,
and distrain the amerciaments, fines, executions, and other
emoluments whatsoever which in the court of the hundred
aforesaid so come, or in anywise hereafter may come, and
to make summonses and executions, and also distresses and
attachments there, and the distresses and attachments to
there made to lead, drive, and carry away, and to retain in
their custody without the contradiction, impediment, or distur-
bance of the aforesaid James Derneford and his heirs, tenants,
servants, ministers, or other whomsoever by his abatement or
procurement in any manner. Also we arbitrate, order, and

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 35

adjudge that the aforesaid James Derneford shall pay to the
aforesaid abbot and his successors, before the feast of St. Michael
the archangel next coming after the date of presents, £20 for his
costs and expenses which he hath sustained against the said
James Derneford by occasion of the disturbance of the ministers
of the said abbot in exercising his office in Estonshous aforesaid,
and by reason of the execution and levying of the pillory and
tumbrel aforesaid to be paid in favor of the said abbot by our
award. Also we arbitrate, order, and adjudge that the security
of this our award may for ever remain secure and be unbroken
and be also secured in law as by the advice and counsel of
Henry Fortescue and Wm. Hyndeston before the feast of St.
Michael the archangel next coming shall and may be desired.
In witness whereof we the aforesaid prior and James Chudleigh
to these indentures have set our seals, dated the day, year, and
place above said, and hereupon the aforesaid Henry Fortescue
and Wm. Hyndeston on Thursday in the feast of the behead-
ing of St. John the Baptist, in the 26th year of the reign of
King Henry VI., at Bokelond Monachorum, have advised and
given council upon the award, order, and judgment aforesaid
that the aforesaid abbot, or some one of his successors of the
house and church aforesaid do, or ought to, prosecute against the
aforesaid James Derneford, Esq., an action of trespass according
as the law on that behalf demands and requires concerning
the matters whereof the aforesaid award, order, and judgment
are by the aforesaid arbitrators made and rendered. And the
aforesaid James Derneford, in his proper person or by his
attorney, in the same action ought to plead, have, and defend
himself according to the advice and counsel of the aforesaid
abbot or his successors, at the costs and expenses of the said
abbot or his successors ; so that after judgment in the action
aforesaid given, the damages, costs, and expenses by the said
abbot or his successors recorded to the aforesaid James his
attorney, be released, and in nowise levied.

36

THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

G.

LIST OF THE ABBOTS OF BUCKLAND.

Name.

Approx.
Date.

Authorities.

1. Bobert.

1281?

Pleadings in Gyreband's complaint.

2. William.

1288

Named in grant by Margaret de Bipariis.

3. Geoffry.

1305

Rolls of Parliament.

4. Thomas.

1311

Proceedings in claim upon the Priory of

Plympton.

5. William.

Agreement with Ralph de Bellworthy.

6. Thomas Wappelegh.

1356

Oliver.

7. John Bryton.

1385

Oliver.

8. Walter.

1392

Oliver.

9. John.

1442

Lease to William Pomeroy and others.

10. William Rolff.

1448

Proceedings against Derneford. Epis. Reg.

11. John Spore.

1449

Oliver.

12. John Hylle.

1454

Episcopal Registers.

13. Thomas Olyver.

1463

Episcopal Registers.

14. John Brundon.

1508?

Oliver.

15. Thomas Whyte.

1511

Leases. Agreement with Derkeham.

16. John Toker.

1528

Episcopal Registers, &c.

BUCKLAND ABBEY.

37

H.

PEDIGREE OF THE REDVERS FAMILY.
Abridged from Oliver and Pitman Jones' Pedigrees of the Courtenay Families.

Richard de Redvert — Adeliza
1st Earl of Devon.
Lord of Nehou.
d. 1107.

Baldwin = Adelicia
2nd Earl.
d. 4 June, 1155.

mil

William Robert H>

adwisa =

William de Romara
Earl of Lincoln.

1

1

1

1

1

Richard r

= Dionisia Henry William = Mabilia Matilda Hadewisa

3rd Earl,
d. 1162.

daughter of
Reginald

de Verona.
6th EarL

or Lucy. in. Ralph
Avenell ?

Earl of

d. 10 Sept,

Cornwall.

1217.

Baldwin =

Alice Richard =

Emma Baldwin = Margaret

Johanna

Mary

4th Earl.

da. of 5th Earl

da. of d. 1 Sept.

da. of

or Jane.

m. 1st

d.s.p.

Ralph d.s.p.

Robert 1216

Warren

m. Win.

Peter

de Dol.

dePonte-

Fitzgerald

Lord

Des-

arcb.es.

m. 2nd

Brewer the

preaux

Foulkes

y*. d.s.p.

2nd Sir

de Brent.

Robert

de

Cour-

tenay,

Knt.

Baldwin = Amicia, eldest da. of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, by
7th Earl. I his Countess Isabella, m. 1240.

d. 1244-5. |

Aviza Baldwin = Margaret Christian

= William =Isabella de Redvers Margaret

1st wife. 8th EarL 2nd wife. da. of

de Fortze,

de Fortibus, Coun- Nun of

d. d. 24 May, Allen

Deforce,

tess of Albemarle Lacock.

28 Aug., 1292. Earl of
1272! Galloway.

or de For-

tibus,

and Devon, and
Domina Insula.

d.s.p.

Earl of

Survived her chil-

1254.

Albe-

dren, d. 1292, when

1st wife.

marle.

the estates (except

d. June,

the Isle of Wight,

1260.

claimed by the

Crown) descended to

Sir Hugh Courtenay,

Knt., gt. -grandson

of Mary, da. of

Wm. de Redvers,

6th Earl of Devon,

and wife of Sir

Robert Courtenay.

2nd wife.

1 III
John Thomas William John

Alice Edmund Plantagenet = Aveline

d. an infant

Earl of Lancaster, m. 8 April,

2nd son Henry III. 1270.

2nd wife was Blanche d.s.p.

Queen of Navarre. 1273.

I.— DRAKE PEDIGREE.

NOTE —The earlier pedigree and the connection of Sir Francis Drake with the Drakes of
Ash is being worked out by Dr. Drake. --See Arch. Journ., vol. xxx. p. 359.

John Drake of Otterton =
I

Edmund Drake =

3rd son
Vicar of Up-
church, Kent.
Will proved
16 Jan., 1566.

John

Mary Newman
1st wife

1
= Francis
Drake

= Elizabeth
Sydenham

Ill 1
John Edward, Joseph, John, Thomas =

= Elizabeth
da. of

m. 3 July, 1569
d. bu. 25

b. 1541?
knt.1581

2nd wife
da.&heiress

Gregorie
ofPlymp-

Jan., 1582-3.

d. 1595

of Sir Geo.

ton St.

s.p.

Sydenham.

Mary.

Thomas

mar. set.

Married

his

dated 10

[Besides these Edmund Drake

first John

brother

Feb., 1584.

had four other sons.]

Elford of

inheritd

Survd. Sir

Sheeps-

Francis, &

tor,2ndly

•

afterwards

Thomas

wife of Sir

Drake

"Wm. Cour-

d. 5 Mar.

tenay.

1631, b at

Sheepstor

Jane, da. of = Francis =

Sir Amias created

Bampfylde, Bart. 2 Aug.

Knt, of 1622. M.P.

Poltimore. for Devon.

Set. dated d. 11 Mar.,

22 Sept. 1602. 1637.

1st wife no

surviving
issue.

Joan, da. of

Sir Wm.

Strode, of

Newnham.

Post-nup. set.

dated 17 Jan.,

1627. 2nd wife:

survived, and

afterwards married

John Trefusis.

Elizabeth = John Bamfield, Esq.

Issue

Francis = Dorothy
2nd lirt. da. of John
M.P. for
Devon,
m. 1640.
d. 6 Jan.,
1662.
s.p.

succeeded
by nephew.

Pym, of
Brymore,
co. Somer-
set

Thomas = Susan John =
da.Wm. oflvy-
Crymes bridge.
Set.
dated
21 July,
1641.

! William Joseph = ? Sarah
of Nether- Johanna

ton.

Dorothy, da. of = Anne, da.&co-h. =

Sir John Bamp-
fylde, Bart, of
Poltimore. 1st
wife. Postnup.
set. dated 30
Aug., 1673.

of Thos. Boon,
of Mt Boon, co.
Devon. 2nd wife.

Set. dated
25 Oct., 1680.

Francis,
3rd Bart.

M.P. for
Tavistock.

Elizabeth, eldest da. of Sir Henry
Pollexfen, Knt., of Nutwell Court,
Lord Chief Justice Com. Pleas.
Set. dated 17 Feb., 1689. 3rd wife.

Gertruc

e = Henry

Dorothy Frances

Francis Henry = Anne, da. of

PoUex-

4th Bart.'

Samuel Heath-

fen, of

[It is doubtful whe-

b.

cote, Esq., of

Nutwell

ther these three

d. 26 Jan.,

Hursley, Hants.

Court.

daughters were the

1739-40.

children of the first

or second wife.]

George, 2nd son = Sophia Bugden Henry Elizabeth = Thomas Martin, Gertrude

I 3rd son. Esq., one of the

A son, who died unmarried, Welsh judges,

and two daughters.

Francis Henry

Francis William = Elizabeth

Francis Samuel =

Pooley da.

5th Bart.

of Hillingdon,

da. of

Rear-adm. m.

Geo. Onslow,

b. 26 Aug. 1722

co. Middlesex.

Sir Win.

1788. Created

Esq.

d. 19 Feb. 1794

Vice-adm. of the

Heathcote,

bart. 12 Aug.,

when the

Red. Bapt. 22

Bart.

1782. d. 1789.

estates passed

Aug., 1724.

m. 1763.

s.p.

to his nephew,

d.

the 2nd Lord

Two daughters.

Heathfield.

Anne Pollexfen = Sir George Augustus Heathfield, created
Baron Heathn -Id 6 July, 1787.
d. 1790.

Francis Augustus Eliott
2nd Lord Heathfield. d. 26 Jan.,
1813, and the title became ex-
tinct. Succeeded to the Drake
estates on the death of his uncle,
Sir Francis Henry Drake, the

4th Bart, 19 Feb., 1794.

Anne Eliott = John Trayton Fuller
of Ashdown House,
Sussex.

1 1 I

Augustus Eliott Fuller Clara, eld. Francis John Thomas Trayton = Eleanor
b. 7 May, 1777. da. &co-h. Capt. 20th 3rd son. Assumed only da.
m. 1801. d. 1857. O. P. Mey- Dragoons. surname and arms of Jas.
s. & h. rick, of d. unmarrd. of Eliott and Drake. Halford,
Bodorgan, 2nd son. Created Bart. Esq., of
Anglesea. 22 Aug., 1821, with Lale-
Issue rem. failure male ham,
issue to his brothers Middle-
William Stephen sex. d.
and Rose-Henry. 18 Sept.
b. 8 Feb., 1785. 1841.
m. 5 Aug.. 1819.
d. 6 June, 1870. s.p.
Succeeded by his
nephew, the present
Bart. Became entd.
under set. made by
Sir Francis Henry
Drake, 5 Bart.

W

d.

3
1
i

1

I 1
lliam Stephen Rose-Henry=
4th son. Capt. R.N.
Capt. R.N. b. 1789.
10 Sept., 1815. m. 1831.
s.p. d. 1860.
5th son.

1 I 1 1 1 1
=Margaretta Robert Fitzherbert=Ursula,da. 1 Eliza=Jno Hamilton
da. of Sir In holy orders. of Sir 2 Sarah Maria
Robert 6th son. Robert 3 Cordelia Eleano.a
Sheffield, Sheffield, 4 Louisa
Bart. Bart. 5 Charlotte

Issue

Francis George Augustus Fuller Eliott Drake =
x 24 Dec., 1839. m. 1861. Succeeded his
incle as second Bart, new creation, 6 June,
870. Late Capt. Royal Horse Guards. Took
>y royal license, 3 Oct., 1870, additional sur-
names and arms of Eliott and Drake.

= Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert
Douglas, Bart., of Glenbervie.

Jane Eliza Anne Pollexfen = Rev. Robert Briscoe, Eleanor Halford = Charles Bales
eld da. m 3 April, 1866. D.D., Rector of m. 7 Aug., 1856. Esq.,ofEast-
Nutfield, Surrey. d. 21 Oct., 1858. don, Devon,
s.p. 2nd. da.

Son born
15 Oct., 1867.

Son bom 3rd Nov., 1871.
d. 1873.

Elizabeth Beatrice.

40 THE CISTEECIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

I. a Plan from Aislabie's map of the estate, hanging in the upper

corridor at Buckland Abbey, referred to par. 37.
b Ground-plan of the remains of the Church (approximate).
II. a and b Door-ways in the Turret of the building (plate VI.), de-
scribed in par. 40.

c The Abbey Church from the Perambulation Map, slightly enlarged,
par. 37. See also Transactions Devonshire Association, vol. v.
p. 612.

III. c Capitals of columns. .

IV. Western Arch of Tower, showing springer of the Vaulting shafts.
V. a Boss Head of the Countess Amice (?) par. 43.

b and c Corbels in Transept.

VI. West elevation of building referred to in par. 40.
VII. Seals and Arms of the Abbe)', described par. 27.

VIII. Plaster Chimney-piece in the second floor of the Tower, with the
arms of Sir Francis Drake, granted him 20 June, 1581, and
the double motto. On the flanks, are the shields mentioned in
par. 60.

1

CD O

LJ

UJ

03
DO

O

Z>
CO

n

D

BUCKLAND A BBEY.

Plates 2.

-v,. :

2FT 317 - y

DOO R— W A Y LEADING
TO TURRET.

DOOR-WAY IN ROOM
IN TURRET.

ABBEY CHURCH FROM DARTMOOR PERAMBULATION MAP.

"•5

UJ

CO
CD

Q

Z

0

D
CO

UJ
00

00

o

z
<

o

ZD
00

BUCKLAND ABBEY.

Haute, 0

BOSS

CORBEL IN TRANSEPT.

CORBEL IN TRANSEPT.

BUCKLAND ABBEY.

Ploutv 6

BUCKLAND ABBEY,

Plato

SEALS & ARMS

BUCKLAND ABBEY.

Flout* 8.

\

CHIMNEY-PIECE ON SECOND-FLOOR OF TOWER

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

n.

BUCKLAND— CONCLUDED.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OE DEVON.

BUCKLAND. — CONCLUDED.

51. In my search for documents connected with Buckfast
Abbey, I have met with a few relating to Buckland, which
may as well be given, with a few additional quotations and
notes, as a supplement to my former paper.

52. First as to the Abbey of Quarr, Quarrera, or Quar-
reria, in the Isle of Wight, from which Buckland was colon-
ised, see par. 17. The pedigree of Buckland was as under : —

Savigny,

Quarr,

I

Buckland.

Quarr in the oldest deeds is called Quarraria, probably from the
neighbouring stone-quarries. It was one of the first monas-
teries of the Cistercian order founded in England, and was,
as I have before shown, begun by Baldwin, Earl of Devon,
who, in the 32nd year of the reign of Henry I. gave the
Manor of Arreton to GreofFry, Abbot of Savigny, for its
building. The earliest charter now remaining is that of
Engler de Bohun, who bestowed Haseley upon the monks,
probably soon after Baldwin's donation. This deed was
executed in Normandy and witnessed by Serlo, Abbot Geof-
fry's successor, and other Norman Bishops and Abbots. This,
with other benefactions to the abbey, was confirmed by Richard
son of Baldwin, whose deed without date must have been
executed in the reign of Henry II. Most of the lands of the
abbey appear to have been given in the reign of Stephen.
There is also a grant from Henry, Duke of Normandy, of a
place called Locwelle, in Normandy, for the monks of Quarr
to build an abbey there, and a grant of confirmation from the

G

42 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

same Henry as King of England. This, Sir Richard Worsley
conjectures to have been an act of gratitude in Henry to
Earl Baldwin for espousing the cause of Matilda. Among
the persons of consequence known to have been buried here
are Earl Baldwin the founder, Adeliza his countess, and their
son Henry. William de Vernun bequeathed £300 for the
erection of a tomb here for himself and his father ; the chapel
also contained a monument to the Lady Cicely, second
daughter of King Edward IV. (See Dugdale's Monasticon,
Hist. Isle of Wight, p. 177, note.)

53. In the foundation deed of Amicia Countess of Devon
mention is made of her daughter Margaret, described as
a nun of Lacock. Lacock Abbey was in Wiltshire, founded
in 1232 by Ella daughter of William Earl of Salisbury and
widow of William Longspee, a natural son of Henry II. by
fair Rosamond, and, in right of his wife, Earl of Salisbury. To
this abbey Amicia gave the manor of Shorewell in the Isle of
Wight, and also her heart. In all probability the body of
Amicia was buried at Buckland, and her heart certainly was
at Lacock. Her obit was kept at the latter place, on the Feast
of St. Andrew, down to the Dissolution, and in the Valor is
an entry : — " To money distributed to the poor on the feast
of St. Andrew the Apostle for the soul of Amicia Countess of
Devon, four bushels of corn worth 2s. 8d., and on the eve and
day of that feast to three poor persons in bread drink and
meat to each of them daily 2d. worth. 3s. 8d."

54. Of the documents, the first is from the Roll, Placita de
Quo Waranto, Edw. I., whereby it appears that Amicia was
called upon to show by what authority she held the hundreds
of Wonford, Tiverton, Harrige, Roborough, and Axminster,
and view of frankpledge, &c. in Tiverton, Collumpton, and
Exminster, without licence, &c.

Arnica Comitissa Devon' sum' fuit ad respond' drio Regi de
ptito quo war'to tenet hundra de WONFORD TYVERTON HAR-
RIGG' RUBERGG & AXEMENISTRE que ad Coronam dni Regis
ptinent, Et quo waranto clam' hre visum francipleg' furcas
emendas assis' panis & c'vis fracte in TYVERTON, COLUMP-
TON' & EXEMINISTRE sine licentia, &c.

Et Amicia p' attor' suu venit, Et dicit qd non debet dno
Regi ad hoc bre response quia dicit qd non tenet integre
pdca hundra eo qd Abbas de Bocland tenet inde hundra
de HARRIGG & RUBERGG' et petit juchn de bri.

Et Will's de Gyselham qui sequitr pdno Rege dicit qd
licet pdcus Abbas ten eat pdca hundra ^dcta Amicia tenetur

JBUCKLAND ABBEY. 43

responde dfio Regi de tenancia suo quo ad alia hundra et
nisi hide respondeat petit judiciu de ip'a tanqam de indefensa.
Dies dat' est ei coram dfio R'a die Pascfr in unu mensem
ubicumq' &c. de audo judo suo &c. — Rot. 37. (Placita de
Quo Waranto Edw. I. Ed: Rec. Com. fol 1818, p. 168.)

55. The next is from the Assize Roll, 1281 : Robert of At Exeter,
Buckland, who was the first abbot, is charged with unjustly Octave of St-
dispossessing the Prior of Plympton of certain land : — Edward l"

A.D. 1281.

§ Assisa venit recogfi si Robs Abbas eccie sci Benedci de
Boclaund frat Rog'us Iverlesboclond Wilts le Fores? Thorn
de Wythye Gilbs le Brewer Witts de Wyrkam WaltW de
Eckeworth Robtus Gosce Rics de Crewel Witts de Elleswitt
Rogus de Fylecham Rogus Semer Walrus le Provost Witts
Russet Robs de Alwiston Rogus Upperig Witts le Knyht Rics
de Legh Rogus Orig' Gilbs de la Bure Thorn de Colewitt
Thorn le Fotur Gilbs de Crewile Witts Altwy Wal?us
Uppehutt Ricus Bulymer Walterus Webbe Witts le Pyl
Galfrs Aylmer Edwardus de Upton Petr de Wobhutt Robs
de la Yo Gilbs le Rede Robs de la Hole Ricus Berey Rog'us
Lond Godef 'rs de Bikecumb et Rogus de Hamme injuste &c.
disseig Priore de Plumpton de libo ten suo in Plympton post
pm He. Et unde querr qd diss eum de quiuq'ginta acr ?re
cum ptin. Et Prior ven et re' se de bri suo Id:o pdcus Abbas et
alii inde sine die Et Prior et pi sui de p§ in mla scitt Galfrs
le Frere et G'vaS de Crymel Postea covenit int eos qd pdcs
Abbas cogri pdcas quinqginta acr tre cu ptin in Hetfelct
juxa Pudele ee jus $dci Prioris et eccie sue de Plympton et
illas ei redd tenend pdco Priori et succ suis imppet Et p hac
?c. pdcs Prior cocessit qd tenetes ipius Abbis in Pudet heant
communa in eisdem ten tempe apto ad omnimoda avia etc.
(Assize Roll, M. 1, 34.— 1 Memb' 29d.)

56. The next is from the De Banco Roll, William charging
Thomas the Abbot, and Brother John Bryton, monk of the
abbey, and John Spenser, with breaking into the house of
the said William at Collumpton and carrying off goods and
chattels to the value of £10. The defendants did not appear,
and we do not know the result.

Will's Couta p aH suu op' se iiijto die vsus Thoma Abbem
de Boklond et frem Joiiem Bryton comonacu eiusde Abbis et
Johem Spenser de ptito quare vi et armis domu ipius Witti
apud Colompton freg*unt et bona et cat sua ad Valencia dece

G -

44 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

librae ibiehn invent cepunt et asptavunt et alia enormia ei
intulerunt ad gave dampnu ipius Wifti et cont"" pace Reg etc.
Et ipe non ven Et ftuer inde die vsq3 ad hunc die sciit a die
Pasche in tres septias p essofi suu postqam attach etc. I'o prec
est vie qd distr eos p. omes ?r etc. Et qd de exit etc. Et qd
habet corpa eox hie a die sci Micftis in xv dies etc. (De
Banco Roll. East, 38 Edward III.)

57. In the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, 1291, we find some
of the Abbey property mentioned : —

Abbas de Bokland) Bokland q'd tax' . . . 16 2 8

h't Man'ria de } Bikeley q'd tax' . . 16 2 8
Walhampton. & in Derte-

more, q'd tax' . . . 6 10 8

Colompton q'd tax' . . 9 15 4

Item apud Bikecumbe q'd tax' 134
S'm"~ . . . . 39 13 5
Dec'" . . . . 3 19 41

(Pp. 146-153.)

There are also two or three other scattered references.

58. The next, in Norman-French, from the "White Book
of Tenures in Cornwall, is a direction, that in consequence
of the poverty of the Abbey it should be relieved from the
payment of charges connected with the Forest of Dart-
moor : —

Pur la maison Comewaille. ffever Mar3- Ian Dengt xxx E. etc. A fire
eft vadlet Robt de Eleford fire sen de Corn et Devene§ salu}.
Porceq} no9 avons entenduz q la poure maison de fire dame
de Bokland est durement mult aninentie p la charge et Avenue
des forests de nre foreste de Dertemore Sur quei no9
desirrant3 la relevacion de la dite maison Vous maundons
q vous meismes ?veie3 q ele ne soit chargee ou grevee p' les
dit3 forests ou auts autrement q ele ne doit estre de reson,
et ne soeffrez q labbe de la dite maison ou ses gent3 et tenant}
soient empesche3 ou endamage3 p les dit3 forests autrement
q nad estee vsee einz ces heures ou q ils deyvent estre de
bon foi. Don etc. a londs le xiij iour de ffevW Ian etc. p I
Ievesq3 de Wync.

Wliite Book of Tenures in Cornwall. — 25-39 Edw. III.

59. The last document is a complete copy of the Ministers'
accounts, 31-32 Henry VIII. , so far as they relate to Buck-
land, carefully transcribed from the original. It gives full
details as to the property of the abbey at the time, the
rental, and the names of the various tenants.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 45

BUCKLAND ABBEY, co. Devon.

COMP'A Oim et singuloi Balliuox J?po§ Coft firmar et at nnp'Monaster'
Ministro^ Computabit Oim et Single^ Dfiioj MaSio^ Terr et
tent Rector pencofi et porcon qua^cumq, tarn Spuai qam
Tempai Dni Regf Deo nup Mori ptinen sive spectan viz. a
ffesto sci Michis Archi Anno Regni Henr viijn Dei gra Angt
et ffraunc Rf fidei DefenS Dni hibn ac in terr supmi Capitf
Ecciie Angl xxxjmo vsq3 idm ftm sci Michis Archi Anno
eiusdm Dni Rf extunc pxifh sequeri scit p vnu annu Integr
put inferius pt.

COMP'US Greorgij Pollerde firmar ifem p tempus Scit' d'ci nup' Mon' cu terr
~j~m D'nical' eid'm p'tinen'.

Nuft put in pede vltimi Compi Anni px pceden plenius Arrerag.
contr.

Sm"'— nult.

Sed r de — xxiij li. iij s. v d. de firm Scit ibm cu Or£ pomar ffinn'.
Gardin terr prat pasc & pastur voc Calses pke Barne pke
Dedeh""m Quarry pke cu duob} pvis prat eidm Annex le
Conyger Wyndemyll pke long pke cu 1 pvo prat adiac Long-
land Vyntens Oxenh""m Southefelde Penml she pke Ookewell
Higher Byckh^m Lower Byckeh""m Haylebelle Longpke
Ruggemytt pke Cansey mede & Shepewaysshe cu s ptin eidm
scit ptin sive spectafi sic dim pfato Compuh p tmio xxj Annox
p Inden Dni Rf sub Sigitt Cur Augmen Reven coron § ut
as3itr sot ad festa Annuc bte Marie virginis & §ci Michis
Archi equatr viz. p ij hmoi festis infra temp9 hui9 Compi
acciden ut supra.

Sm"~ — xxiij li. iij s. v d.

Sm"~ Totlis firm f>dce — xxiij li. iij s. v d. q libavit Thome
Arundell Milit Rec Dni Rf ibm de exit firme pdce huius
Anni sine billa sed tm ex Recognicicon sua sup hunc compm.

COMP'US Rofeti Toker Baft ibm p tempus pdcm. Man'ia de

Nuft put in pede vltimi Compi Auni px pceden plenius Colompton ( o
* cert' terr' m

Exofi.

Sm"" — nuft. Arrerag.'

Sed f de — ciiij s. vj d. de toto Redd libo^ Tenefi ibm p Redd' libv
Annu sot ad fm sci Michis Arch tm put p Compm de Anno Tenen'.
px pceden sup hunc Compm exeunt.

SHI"" — ciiij s. vj d.

46 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Redd' Cust' Et de — Ivj li. vij s. xj cl. de toto Redd Custuin Tenen ifem p

Tenen'. Annu cu xvj s. vj d. re in? Tenen ibm p quodm redd voc Ie3

guldage rent p Annu sol ad iiijor Anni tmios principal equis

porciofi put in Compo de Anno px p'ceden ad larg annotat

pleni9 contr.

Sm"" — Ivj li. xij s. xj d.

Terr' in Exon. Et de — xxvj s. viij d. de Redd 1 Ten infra Civitat Exon in
tenur Johanne Chubbe vid p Annu sot ad tmios pdcos.
Sm"" — xxvj s. viij d.

p'quis' Cur'. Et de — x s. ix d. de pquis cur rbm hoc Anno tent put p.
Rotlas ea&dm sup hunc Compm ostens et examiat ultra
xlj s. v d. de dips Arnciafn illevabil et pdonat rone Act pliam
de geSali pdonac Dni Rf inde edit et pvi§.

Sm""— x s. ix d.
Sm"" Totlis Ret. — Ixiij 1. xiiij s. x d.

D quib}.

ffeod' et vad'. J_ftm comput in feod: sive vad sui ipius compu* Baft ifem ad
Ixvj s. viij d. .p Annu sic sibi concess ac Wiftmo & Hugon
fit s p ?mio vite eo& p iras paten Dat sub sigillo nup conven-
tual ifem xxmo die ffebruarij Anno rr Henrici viij^ xxvto sol
ad fest Annuc fete Marie virginis & sci Michis Archi equis
porcion put in eisdm Iris paten pleni9 contr viz. in Allone
hmoi virtute lrar& pdict p hoc anno — Ixvj s. viij d. Et in
feod Jonis Edmond Decennar ManSij pdci ad xx s. p annu
sic sibi silit Conces§ p tmio vite s p Iras paten nup Abfeis T;
convent ifem dat xxmo die April Anno xxixno Rf pdci sol ad
fm Sci Michis Archi tm viz in Aftone hmoi virtute ea^dm
Irara paten p hoc anno — xx s. Et in feod: Anthonij Harvye
subsen MaSij pdci Ac MaSij de Baunton ad xxvj s. viij d. p
Annu sic sibi concess p ?mio vite s p Iras paten dci nup prior
& convent dat vjto die Octobr anno xxxmo Dni Rf pdci sol ad
fest pdcm viz. in Allone hmoi Virtute lra& pdcax p hoc anno
xxvj s. viij d. Et in Stipend clici Auditor scriben hunc
compm put Clicis Audit Dfi Rf Ducat s lancastr Allocar
Con§ viz. in Allone hmoi put Alloc est in Annis pcederi — ij s.
Sm"" — cxv s. iiij d.

Expen' Sen'. Et in Expen Sent Clici Cur & At Officiar ihm existefi p
cur supadict hoc anno tenend put p Rotul eaidm sup hunc
compm ostens & examiat — xx s. ij d.

Sm"" — xx s. ij d.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 47

Et in Denar p dcm compant lifcat Thome
Arundell Milit Recept Dni R£ ifcm de exit
offic § huius Anni sine bift sed tm ex
Recognic s sup hunc compm

Lib'ac' denar'

Ivj 1. xix s. iiij d.

r' Rec'.

Sm"" Alloc et libac pdict — Ixiij. li xiiij s. x d.
Que quidm Sm"" correspondet sufne Totlis Re* pdce.

Et sic Eq>.

S Wa1?i Lano-psfordp Raft Bucklond' Man'iu cu' hundred' de Rowburgh
Ganges r>all HayleWalkehamptonShittistor&Rynmorecu

p tempus pdcm. cert' terr' in Saulteaysshe.

Nuft. put in pede vltimi compi Anni px pcederi pleni9 Arrerag'.
contr.

Sm"-— nutt.

Sed r de — lix 1. xij s. xj d. ob de toto Redd tam lifeoi qam Redd' Assis'
custufh Tenefi ifem p Annu sot ad iiij °r Anni ?nios principal m Bucklond>-
equis pore put in compo de Anno px pcederi ad larg Annota?
pleni9 contr.

Sm"" — lix 1. xij s. xj d, ofe.

Et de — viij 1. de Redd Assis in Hayle cu xxs de Redd Rowburgh &.
cuiusdm Coie de Rowburgh pdca sot ad ?mios pdict put p Hayle-
dcm compm de Anno px pceden.

Sm""— viij 1.

Et de xxj 1. xiiij s. viij d. ofo de Redd Assis Custum Tenefi Walkeham-
cu iiij s. j d. ob. de Redd Guldag ifem p Annu put p3 p compm ton>-
pdcm.

Sm"" — xxj 1. xiij s. viij d. ofc.

Et de Ixij s. xj d. de toto Redd Assis Tenen ibm p Annu Shittistor &
sot ut sup put p3 p comp pdcm. Rynmore.

Sm"" — Ixij s. xj d.

Et de viij s. de Redd j Ten ibm p Annu sot ut sup p} p Salteaysshe.
compm pdcm.

Sm"" — viij s.

Et de — xxiiij s. ix d. de pquis cur ibm hoc Anno tent' cu P'quis' cur'.
xxj s. de quodam redd voc Measure wheighte & watche sot p
xiiij" decennar ibm ex Antiq con§ put p} Rotut ea^d sup
hunc Compm ostens & examiat ultra xlviij s. iiij d. de divs
AiSciam illevabit & pdonat rone Act pliarn de geSali pdonac
Dni Rf inde edit & pvis.

Sm"" — xxiiij s. ix d.
Sm"" Totlis Ret — iiij " xiiij If ij s. iiij d.

D uib.

48

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

ffeod' & vad'
cu Expen'
Sen1'.

Idm Comput in feod sive Regard sui ipius Compute Bait ifcm
ad xl s. p Annu sic sibi concesS p ?mio vite s p tras paten dat
sub Sigiit nup Conventuat ibm xxvjto die Aprit Anno rrf
Henric viij xxxmo sot ad fm sci Michis Archi tm put in eisdm
tris paten ad larg rro* pleni9 Apparet viz. in Altone hmoi
Virtute trajp pdict p hoc Anno — xl s.

Et in Stipend Ctici Auditor scriben hunc compm put Alloc
est in Ann p'ceden— ij s.

Et in Expen Sen1 Ctic Cur & at Officiar ifcm existeri p cur
supadic? hoc anno tenend put p} Rotut eaxdm sup hunc compm
ostens & exainia? — iiij s. iij d.

Sm"~ — xlvj s. iij d.

Et in defect Redd j Ten in Salteaysshe sup oSat in titlo

6se ad viij s. p. Annu & duo^ Ten nup in tea Johis vs
oldma & Johis Broke iiij s. xj d. supius onla? in titlo redd
sic dimiss' p' Assis MaSij pdci infra Sumam Iviij 1. xiiij s. x d. ob ad
discrec' Audi- jx g> • ^ annu. Et qd die? Ten totlr in decas sunt & exist
tor & Kecept . ^ J . f ,,.0, . »«•«..«

vac ac in nulli tea p totu temp hui compi ex sacro dci

computf vi}. in defect hmoi Redd p temp9 pdcm xvij s. xj d.
Sni"" — xvij s. xj d.

lib'ac' Denar' Et in denar p Compntf lifeat Thome

Arundell Milit Rec Dfii Rf ifem de
r' Rec'. exit officij s huius Anni sine biit sed

?m ex Recognic §' sup hunc Compm

Sm"~ Alloc et lifeac pdic? — iiijxx xij li. ix s. vj d.

Decas' Redd'.

iiijxx x 1. vs. iiij d. [?"|

Et defet xxxij s. x d. q Allor ei ut de to? Den p ipm solut
p divs' Repac fac? & imjpoi? sup Div's Ten & Cotag infra
MaSiu pdcm hoc Anno maxie Ruinos ut in empciori Tegut
find Clav Calc & arefi ac at ad hec'neccssar put p bilt de
pticlis inde sup hunc compm ostens & examiat.

EtEq,.

Byckeleigh& Shagh p'cell' Man'ij' COMP'US Johis Stephyn Balti fcm p tempus
de Buckland' p'dict' pdcm.

Arrerag. ^ufl- put in pede Vltimi Compi Anni px pcedefi pleni9

contr.

Sm"-— nutt.

Redd' Assis'.

de xxiiij 1. iiij s. vij d. de toto Redd tam liboa qam
Custurh Tenenc ibm p Annu sot ad iiijor Anni ?mios principal
equis pore put in Compo de Anno px pceden ad larg Annota?
plenius contr.

Sm"" — xxiiij li. iiij s. vij d.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 49

Et de iiij 1. vj s. viij d. de firm j Molend ibm p Annu sic ffinn' Molen d.
dim Thome Boreman p Indefi ut Ass9itr sot ad festa pdca ut de Byckeleis h
P3 in Compo de Anno px pceden.

Sm"" — iiij 1. vj s. viij d.

Et de xxvij s. vij d. de pquis xiijci cur ibm hoc anno tent P'quis' Cur'.
cii ix8 de niett vij s. v d. de Redd cens 7 xj s. ij d. de At
pquis put p3 Rotut ea&dm sup hunc compm osten§ 7 examiat
ult"~ xxixs. vd. de divs Amciam illevabit 7 pdonat rone Act
pliam de geSali pdonac Dni Regf inde edit i pvi§.
Sm"" — xxvij s. vij d.

Sm"~ Totlis Re* — xxix li. xviij s. x d.

D-

Idm Comput in feod sive Regard sui ipius compu1 Bait ffeod' & Vart'
oim & singloa Dfiio& MaSioi Terr & Ten cu ofhibi eoa Mem-
bris in Byckleigh Abbottesrowe & Shagfe ac vi§ fi^unc pleg
MaSij de Buckelond voc Holme Baliff ad xxvj s. viij d. p
Annu sic sibi concesS p tmio vite s p tras paten dat sub
Sigillo nup conventuat ibm ixno die Aprit Anno rrf Henrici
viij vi xxxmo sot ad f 'm sci Michis Arcni tantu put in eisdem
tris paten ad larg rro* pleni9 liquet viz. in Altone hmoi vir-
tute trax jpdic? p tempus huius compi — xxvj s. viij d. Et in
feod sive Regard cuiusdam Simon Lawry Decennar oim &
singloa Dniox sive MaSioi pdict ad vj s. viij d. p Annu viz.
in Aftone hmoi caus excic ofHcs huius Anni put Alloc est in
Ann pceden — vj s. viij d. Et in Stipend Ctici Auditor scriben
hunc compm put Alloc est in Ann pceden — ij s.
Sm"" — xxxv s. iiij d.

Et in Denar p dcm compute solut p experi sen1 Ctici Cur & Expen' Sen.1'.
At Offiiciar ibm existen ad Cur supadic? hoc Anno tenend
put p3 Rotut eaadm sup hunc compm ostenS & examiat —
xlj s. j d.

Sm"-— xlj s. j d.

Et in Denar p dcm compu* libat Thome
Arundell Milit Rec Dni Rf ibm de exit

. . xxiiij 1. xix s. iiij d.

omc sui huius Anni sine bm sed tm ex

Recognic s sup hunc compm

Sin"" Allocae et libac pdict — xxviij 1. xv s. ix d.

Et Debt — xxiij s. j d. q Allor ei ut de to? den p nov fcur3
j pinfald Dni Regf ibm p Salv Custod Catalt p dco Dno
Rege district in eo<im pinfald ponend hoc Anno sine bitt sed
?ra ex sacro dci compute Et Eq,.

H

r'Rec'.

50

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Buckelonde
Arrera '

COMP'US Rofeti Tooker firmar ibm p tempus pdcm.

i px pceden

put ibm plenr9 contr.

ffirm' Rector'. ged r de — xviij 1. de firm oim Decim Garb Rect pdict
cu Oinib} At Cofnod eidm ptin sic dim pfa? Compu* Wiftmo
& Hugofi fil s de quinquen in quinquenmu duran tWo Ix Ann
p Indefi Dat quinto Die Octobr Anno rrf Henrici viijvi xxvijmo
sot ad fm Sci Andree tm put in eadm Inden ad larg irro*
plenius contr.

Sm"— xviij 1.

r' Rec'. Sm"" Toflis ffirme pdic? cu Arr — xxxvj li. De qib} libavit

Thome Arundell Mili? Rec Dni Rf ifem de exit firm s pdict
hoc Anno sine bift sed tm ex Recognic s sup hunc Compm —
xviij 1. Et defet — xviij li. ..... Totu.

Sup'. Ipm Compute de Arr firm § ftuius Anni eo qd Jiet Die

Soluc inde uxsq, fm sci Andree px futur post Glaus hui9
Compi put p Inden d:ci firmar .... xviij 1.

Rect de Walkhamton &

COMP'US dci Robti Tooker firmar ibm p tempus
Shittistor'. pdcm.

Arrerag,. Mm or de — vij 1. x s. de Arr Vltimi Compi Anni px

pceden pleni9 contr.

Sm"-— P3.

ffirm' Rect'

Rect' de

Bampton'.

Arrerag'.

Sed r de — vij 1. x s. de firm decim Garb eiusdm Rector ac
de iijbus Ten in Byckleigh cu omib} at Oomodil eidm Rector
ptih sic dim pfa'f Compi Wiitmo & Hugon fit s p ?mio Ix
Annos p Inden supius in Compo px pceden specific sot ad fm
Sci Andree pdict put p Inden pdic?.
Sm"~ — vij 1. x s.

Sm"~ Totlis flfirme jpdic? — xv li. q libavit Thome Arundell
Mi lit Rec Dni Rf ibm de exit firm pdict hoc Anno sine bift
sed frn ex Recognic g sup hunc Compm — vij li. x s.
Et debt — vij 1. x s.

Sup Ipm Compute de Arr firm s hui9 Anni. Eo qd ftet
Die ut sup — vij 1 x s.

COMP'US supadci Robti Tooker firmar ibm p tempus pdcm.
Nuft put in pede Vltimi Compi Anni px pceden plenius
contr.

Sm"-— nuft.

BUCKLAND ABBEY. 51

Sed r de — xl li. de firm Rector ifem cu Mane dofh Clausur
terr Ten necnon frucl decifn oblaciofi & At pfic quibuscuq.
eidm Rect ptifi sic dim pfa? Compu* de quinquen in quinquen
duran ?mio lxe Anno^ p. Inden dat xxiiij*0 die Julij Anno rr£
Henrici viijvl xxvjto sot ad ffes? Pasche & Nat Dni p equat
porcion cu xxl. p penc Vicar ifem xls. sot Epo Exon &
Decan & Capitlo ifem p pencion § Ac xv s. ix d. sot Archno
Exon p Sinod & pour Omib} At onlib) pochiat & Capett Sci
Luce put in eadem Indefi ad larg irro* plenius contr.

Sm"-— xlli.
Sin"" ToHis Ifirme pdict — xl li.

I> quib}.

Id:m Compu? in Denar solut Vicar ifem p pencion § ad Penc' & Pore'
xx 1. p Annu sic sibi & Succ suis concesS p quandm CompoS c? Sinod' &
inde inr die? Vicar ac nup Abbem & Conven? ibm confect viz.

in Altone hmoi p tempus huius compi — xx 1. Et in Consilib3 . , ,

^i-n~ >TNr o/-N-~i-n~ Tideatrconcess.

pencion Ann" sot Epo xxs & Uecano J s & Capitlo Exon

exeunt exa Rector pdic? ad xl s. p Annu viz. in Alione hmoi p
tempus huius Compi put ab Antiq Allocar Cong in Ann
pceden — xl s. Et in Denar solut Archno Exon j> Sinod &
pcurac p Annu put omino Allocar Cong — xv s. ix d.
Sm"~ — xxij 1. xv s ix d.

Et in Denar p pdcm compute lifeat

lib'ac' denar'

Thome Arundell Mi1 Rec Dm Rf ihm de

•~£ ~ ~, . ,.„, j~ ^> .~ xvii 1. mi s. iij a. r. Rec'.

exit nrm pace sine bin sed tm ex Recognic

g sup hunc compm .....

Sm"" Allocac et libac pdict — xl 1. Que quidm Sm"~ corre-
spond sume Totlis firm pdict.

60. In 1553 we find the following monks still alive and
enjoying their pensions : —

John Tooker, Abbot . . 60 0 0
John West ... 500

Thomas Hooper . . 500

William Gye . . . 500

William Alford . . 500

Benedict Lonege . . 4 13 4

William Milford . . 400

William Ebsworth . 368

John Jordayne . • • 368

Thomas Maynard, Robert Troope, Hugo Harvey, and
Simon Rugeway having died in the meantime.

61. The enlargement from the old Dartmoor Perambulation

H -•

52 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Map accompanying my first paper is incorrectly engraved.
On reference, I find my drawing is right, but the litho-
grapher has taken liberties, and on the right-hand side of the
tower and transept has inserted an upper row of windows,
giving the appearance of a clerestory, which is altogether
wrong. The engraver has also made the buildings above,
more distinct than they are in the original drawing.

61. In connection with Sir Francis Drake, I may mention
that after our last meeting Captain Swann, of Honiton, was
good enough to write me, asking if I had met with any
boxes on which were carved or engraved the arms of Sir
Francis Drake, and describing one in his possession.
Curiously enough, his letter reminded me of a box which I
had seen, which, as far as 1 could recollect, corresponded
with the description given by Captain Swann. Of course,
when wanted, the box could not be found, and it was sup-
posed to have been altogether lost. Fortunately, within the
last few weeks it has been recovered. It bears the inscription,
John Brisset fecit, 1712. The arms of Drake appear in a
shield, Afess wavy between two polar stars; above is a helmet
and the crest, a ship under ruff, drawn round a terrestrial globe
with a cable rope by a hand out of the clouds. The letters
A. D. stand for the crest motto. The motto, sic parvis
magna, is below the shield. At the top are the words " Sir
Francis Drake," and below the ship the words, " The Adven-
ture— Europe, America [? JEispania], Asia, Africa." The
mantling is very good and the work delicate.

There is a box similar to this in the British Museum, and I
have heard of others, and it would seem that there are many
in existence of various sizes.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

in.
BUCKFAST.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

BUCKFAST.

62. The Abbey of Bulfestra, the name by which we find
it called when we first learn of its existence, occupies a site —
within the hundred of Stanborough, the Deanery of Totnes,
and the parish of Buckfastleigh — which is not so typical of a
Cistercian selection, nor so secluded, as are many of the houses
of the White Monks. It is situated, it is true, in the deep
valley, close by the river, selected originally more for use
than pleasure, with the hills surrounding the retreat, and
protecting the pasture land ; but still, beautiful as the position
is, and charming as is the scenery (and those who know
Turner's exquisite engraving will not say that the painter has
exaggerated its loveliness), there is not that sense of repose,
that feeling which comes over the visitor of distance and
apparent estrangement from the world without, which is
so characteristic of many abbeys of the Cistercians. I must
assume my hearers to be acquainted with the facts relating to
the general history of the order contained in my first paper,
pars. 1 to 14.

63. Throughout this paper I shall use the convenient word
" Buckfast " in speaking of the abbey. We find the spelling
varying from time to time in the different documents relating
to the house — Bulfestra, Bulfestre, Bugfasta, Bocfasta, Bus-
sestre, and Buckfestria, are instances. In the earlier deeds
the last syllable has ordinarily the " r," which was dropped as
time went on. The spelling Bussestre is evidently a mistake
of the scribe or copyist mistaking the letter "f" for a
long " s."

64. Unlike the abbey to which my two preceding chapters
have been devoted, which was one of the latest mediaeval
monastic foundations in England, the early history of the
Abbey of Buckfast is lost in remote antiquity.

54 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

65. It is one of the common errors, which, like the vulgar
belief that all monks were and are priests, I suppose will
never be eradicated from the mind of the ordinary English-
man, that monasteries had their rise in and only flourished
during the middle ages. In spite of all that has been written
and said, it is forgotten by many, that from the first institu-
tion of Christianity, to say nothing of the earlier dispensation,
lives of seclusion were found necessary for the welfare of
many souls whose lots were cast in the midst of a world
steeped in heathen wickedness. And Britain from the first
had monks, and the fury of the English vented itself upon
them, and upon their priests, their altars, and their churches.
The story of the massacre of the monks of Bangor will recur
to everyone, and scattered throughout the pages of the earliest
chroniclers are references to places which, if not monasteries
in the sense in which we use the word, were places of retire-
ment and religious asceticism. If these facts are forgotten, it
is not much to be wondered at that the early history of jthe
Abbey of Buckfast should have been lost sight of by the
casual reader.

66. In all probability the abbey. was in existence before
the coming of the North-man, and it is an unquestionable fact
that monks were settled in the pleasant spot on the banks of
the Dart long before the Norman Conquest. The account
will therefore carry us far back through the story of England's
history.

67. There appears to be no good reason for doubting the
claim, rather proudly put forward by the Buckfast monks in
the reign of Edward L, where the jurors affirm that they,
the monks, said that the Abbey held a certain manor called
Sele Monachorum, by the gift of King Cnut, —

" Vicunt quod Abbas Bucffestrie tenet quoddam manerium
guod vocatur Sele monachorum in perpetuam elemosinam de
dono regis Cnud." — Rotuli Hundredorum, Edw. I.

There can be little question that that sagacious monarch
was interested in some way in this part of his kingdom of
Wessex. You will recollect Lyfing was his companion on
his pilgrimage to Rome, and to him, the then Abbot of
Tavistock, afterwards the famous Bishop, the King entrusted
that remarkable letter to his English people which contains
so much kingly wisdom, and shows so much anxiety for
the welfare of his subjects. Cnut, during his reign, did
much for religion, and conferred many a gift upon the
monks, and Ely and St. Edmundsbury, Glastonbury and
Winchester, among other places, benefited by his bounty,

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 55

and long cherished his memory, and the Church, during the
years of peace which he gave to the country, fostered
literature, art, and, to some extent, science, and spread
throughout the land " great buildings and busy schools."

68. From the list of their possessions after the Conquest, it
is not rash to assume that the monks of Buckfast received
something more than the manor of Sele from the Danish
King. In the possession of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter
is a charter of Cnut, conferring land upon Burhwold, the
Bishop of St. Germans, in which I think may be recognised
the names of places in Devon, and en the death of Burhwold
the King assented to the request of Lyfing, who was then
Bishop of Crediton, that the sees of St. Germans and
Crediton might be united, and to this king and the once
Abbot of Tavistock, and to his successor Leofric, the esta-
blishment of the see of Exeter, as we now have it, is due. It
is in our time, after a union of nearly nine hundred years,
that the ancient sees of Devon and Cornwall are again to be
separated.

69. From the death of Cnut, 1035, to the date of the
Domesday Survey is but fifty years or thereabouts, and in the
Great Survey we find clear evidence of the existence, and a
list of the possessions, of Buckfast Abbey. Whatever the
foundation of the Abbey might have been, Domesday Book
shows us that at the time of the Survey Abbot Alwine and
his monks were not only settled at Buckfast, which was the
head of the abbacy, but had considerable possessions in land
and other property in the county. The entries are interesting
and valuable, and further on will be found translations which
I have made from the Exeter and Exchequer books. The
former, belonging to the Dean and Chapter^ is supposed to
have been the groundwork of the Exchequer book (the one
intended to be preserved as the permanent record), and, as
is apparent on comparing the two, much more full in its
information. Thus, in 1086 it is clear that there was a
religious house at a place called Bulfestra, that it had con-
siderable property, and was apparently in a flourishing con-
dition. There can be no question that this place was Buckfast
Abbey.

70. It has been always stated, that in some way or other
this house was dissolved after the Conquest, its possessions
confiscated, its inmates scattered, that this was probably the
worlc of the Conqueror, and that the land was given to
the Pomeroys. But this could not, I think, have been the
case. Because, to a great extent, the troubles of the Con-

56 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

quest were over, the land had been apportioned, William
had rewarded his companions, and among the great lords
whose lands are enumerated in Domesday the Abbey of
Buckfast appears with Baldwin de Redvers, William de
Pomeroy, and others, as holding large domains Domesday
Book was completed only a short time before William met
his death in the streets of Mantes, and yet within fifty years
the abbey is said to have been dissolved, its possessions
divided, and a new house founded in the same place. If such
were the case, how did it happen, and what were the reasons
for such a spoliation ? A conjecture might be hazarded that
the Bed King found the abbey lands conveniently near his
hunting-grounds in the Forest of the Dartmoors, and took
possession of them with the usual disregard of the rights of
the Church shown by him, but there is no evidence to support
such a theory, and I think, although the contrary has alwa}7s
been stated, that I shall be able to adduce good grounds for
believing that the monks of Buckfast continued to hold the
lands that belonged to them at the time of the Great Survey
uninterruptedly for five centuries after.

71. The only evidence as to the supposed dissolution and
re-foundation of the Abbey is the unsupported statement of
Leland, who says that Ethelwardus filius Gul. Pomerey erat
primus fundator. Coll. Hearne, vol. i. p. 80, ed. 1770. Dug-
dale, with more caution, following him, says, that Ethelward
is said to have been its founder, and Pole, Westcote, and Risdon,
wishing to convey the same information, but making utter
confusion of it and copying one another, tell us in the calmest
way, that Duke Alford erected a fair abbey of the Order of
Cistercians, Pole and Risdon saying that this happened
before the Conquest. It is, I think, evident that the Duke
Alford of the last mentioned writers is the Ethelward of
Leland and Dugdale. It is also very evident that the addi-
tional statement of Pole and Risdon, "before the Conquest,"
cannot be true, simply because it is certain that there were no
Cistercians in existence anywhere for more than thirty years
after the Conquest, and that there was no Cistercian house in
England until the year 1128.

72. An examination of the case with reference to Ethel-
ward also induces us to believe that the claim made for him
that he was the founder rests on no substantial foundation.
His name is not mentioned in any deed or charter relating to
the Abbey, and he is not in any way referred to in the royal
confirmations of Henry and Richard, which are dated not
long after 1 137, the date of the alleged foundation. Again, the

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 57

greater part, if not the whole, of the lands mentioned in
Domesday can be traced as being in the possession of the
abbey at the end of the twelfth and the beginning of the
thirteenth centuries; and even supposing that they had in
some mysterious way, scattered as they were throughout the
county, come as a whole into the hands of Ethelward de
Pomeroy, it is not likely that they would have been granted
in their entirety to the monks of Buckfast. But there is
another fact of greater weight. In the deed of King Henry,
which I shall refer to presently, and which was given before
1161, all the lands and tenements, and so on, belonging to
the Abbey were confirmed to the monks, as they held them,
" avi mei." Henry died in 1 135, two years before the alleged
foundation by Ethelward. We have therefore to suppose
that the land continued in the possession of the Abbey from
the date of Domesday until some time in the reign of Henry I.
and then it passed somehow to Ethelward, who in course of
time established the monks afresh in the same locality, and
endowed them with the same lands. In the unsettled state
of the country during the reign of Stephen, the monks did
not, as far as we know, trouble themselves to obtain a confir-
mation from that monarch ; but, as soon as Henry's kingdom
was firmly established, a charter confirming them in their
possessions was obtained from the king.

73. Doubtless Ethelward was a benefactor to the Abbey,
and on this account he and his descendants were held in
grateful remembrance by the monks for many a long year,
and on several parts of the ruined buildings, before their final
destruction, the crest or badge of the Pomeroys, the red lion
rampant, was to be seen, and there can be little question but
that the story of Ethelward being the founder of the abbey
arose from this fact.

74. I think, therefore, we may conclude, as far as the
evidence goes at present, that there was no dissolution of the
Abbey, and that Ethelward was not the first founder.

75. We have no clue whatever as to what the original
foundation of the Abbey was, but in all probability it was
Benedictine, and we know that it became a daughter house
of Savigny, which sprang from the hermitage, afterwards
the abbey, founded by Raoul de Fugeres and John de Lan-
dere in 1112, and which in 1148 was united to the Cistercian
Order. Whether Buckfast became Cistercian at the time
that Savigny and many others did, cannot be ascertained ;
probably it did not, as the confirmation charter of Henry II.
about 1161, speaks of the monks " que stint ordine Savigny"

I

58 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

which seem to show that Buckfast did not pass in 1148, when
the fourth Abbot of Savigny surrendered his house and its
dependencies into the hands of St. Bernard. Leland says,
" C<znobium de Bukfest olim incepit per fratres quos appella-
bunt Grysceos, deinde admisit Bernardinos." Collectanea, vol.
3 (4) p. 152, ed. 1770.

76. Here he says that the monastery of Buckfast was com-
menced by brethren called " Grysasos," afterwards admitted
Bernardines. " Grysaeos" stands for the " grisei monachi,"
the monks of the order of Savigny. This extract from
LeJand I have never seen quoted ; perhaps, from the sentence
being curiously inserted in a list of manuscripts belonging
to the Abbey, it has been overlooked. Leland's statement is
confirmed by that in the charter of Henry II., to which I
have just referred, u monachis de Bugfasta qui sunt de ordine
de Savineio."

77. What led Dr. Oliver to make the statement that
Buckfast was colonized from Waverley I cannot imagine.
There is not the slightest evidence, so far as I am aware, of
there having been any connection between Waverley and
Buckfast. Dr. Oliver seems also to have been confused as to
Waverley itself, for he says that it was a daughter of the
Abbey of St. Mary at Savigny, the fact being that it was a
daughter of L'Aumone.

78. There is no foundation charter of the Abbey. The
earliest document I can find relating to it, after Domesday,
is the patent of Henry II., of which I have before spoken,
confirming to the monks of Bugfast the church and abbey of
Bugfasta and all the lands and tenements, &c., belonging to
them, as they held them in the time of King Henry, " avi
mei." The deed contains no names of places, or particulars
as to the property of the Abbey ; but it is interesting, and
must have been granted some time before April, 1161, as
among the witnesses are Theobald the Archbishop and
Thomas the Chancellor, the famous Thomas Becket.

Henry King of England and Duke of Normandy and
Aquitaine and Count of Anjou. To the Archbishops
&c. health. Know that I have granted in perpetual
alms to the Monks of Bugfast, who are of the order
of Savigny, the Church and Abbey of Bugfast, with
all lands and tenements and churches and other pos-
sessions to the said church belonging, so well and in
peace, &c. as if the aforesaid abbacy ever, &c. held in

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 59

the time of King Henry my grandfather, &c. These
being witnesses :

THEOBALD, Archbishop of Canterbury.

THOMAS, Chancellor.

HUMPHREY OF BOHUN, Steward.

ROGER DE No v ANT.

WARREN son of GERALD, Chamberlaine, &

WILLIAM the son of HAMO.
At Worcester.

(Patent Rolls, 1 Edw. IV., p. 2, m. 4.)

79. I have also obtained another copy of a charter, which
is apparently the same as this, but differing slightly in the
wording, and more full and precise in the description of the
benefits conferred. It speaks of the monks of Buckfast as of
the order of Cistercium (at least the word appears to be this)
instead of Savigny, as in the other. The charter is nearly
illegible at the edges, and many of the words are obliterated.

H. [illegible] Sciatis me p di amore & p salute anie mee
& p aniab} onium antecessorx ino& Qcessisse & in ppetuam
Elemosina c'firmasse do & Monachis de Bugfasta de or.iine de
Custerc ones tras & Tenuras suas qas Racionabili? habnt libe
tenendis cu socha & sacha & Thol & Them & Infangene? & cu
onib} aliis lifotatib} & libis c'suetudinib} [Q"~re?] volo & [firmit ?]
pcipio qd ipi & hedes eox hant in pace lifetates suas & quietan-
cias de Scyr & hundr & placitis & querel & Murdr & hidagiis &
Scutagiis & Geldis & Danegeldis [illegible] & c'suetudinib} de
Moris & oni seclari svico & exaccoe sic mea Elemosina pp'a.
T. Thorn Cane: etc. (Cartes Antiquse. Y.)

80. But before the date of this charter, we have mentioned,
in 1143, the Abbot of Buckfast, Eustachius, who was wit-
ness to an agreement between the abbot of St. Martin's-in-
the-Fields and the Chapter of the Cathedral of Exeter in that
year. This is the first Abbot of whom mention is made, after
the English abbot Alwaine or Alcuin, whose name occurs in
Domesday Book.

81. There is also a deed, which may possibly be earlier
than the confirmation deed of Henry II., being a grant to
the church of Buckfast by Henry de Novant, for the health
of his soul and. that of his wife Elizabeth, of the land of
Scirhull, which he and his father granted to the monas-
tery.

82. The date of this document is uncertain. If the grantor
is Henry de Novant, son of Roger de Novant, to whom large

2i

60 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

grants of land were made by Henry I., it is the earliest deed
we have relating to the Abbey. There was a Roger, a grand-
son, and he had also a son called Henry, but Pole, Coll., p.
169, says, that the wife of this last-mentioned Henry was
Isabel Bulbek, whereas the name of the wife of the Henry
Novant of the deed is Elizabeth. It is to be noticed that, if
the earlier date is the correct one, we have another piece of
evidence against the destruction and resuscitation of the
Abbey after the Conquest, for it shows that in the reign of
Henry I. it was flourishing.

li-uelifast. Notu sit oibus &c. qd ego Hen. de Nunant rj salute
anime mee et spouse mee Elizab' dedi et concessi Eccles' de
Bokfasta omne ter' de Scirhull &c. qua pater meus Rog' et
ego prius conces' Praedict. Monachis. Test. WilPo fil Stephani
Johe Longo &c. H. 2, Pole's M.S., p. 182. (Add. MSS.
(Brit. Mus ) 28,649, p. 394.)

83. In 1189, Nov. 18, about two months after his acces-
sion, and not long before his departure for the Third Crusade,
Richard I. confirms to the monks of Buckfast, by the hand
of his newly nominated Chancellor, the famous Bishop of
Ely, William Longchamps, the possessions which they then
held, and apparently confers upon them further privileges.
As in the former deeds, the words are general : —

Ricardus Dei gratia rex Anglise, Dux Normannie et Aqui-
tanie, comes Andegavie, archiepiscopus, etc. salutem. Sciatis
nos pro Dei amore et pro salute anime nostre et omnium
antecessorum et succeSsorum nostrorum concessisse et pre-
senti carta confirmasse Deo et ecclesie beate Marie de Boc-
fasta et monachis ibidem Deo servientibus omnes donationes
que eis rationabiliter facte sunt in terris et tenuris et tene-
mentis in liberam et puram et perpetuam elemosinam. Quare
volumus et firmiter precipimus quod predicti monachi habeant
et teneant omnes terras et tenuras et tenementa eis ration-
abiliter data in bosco et piano in viis et semitis in agnis et
molendinis in vivariis et stagnis in pratis et pascuis in
homagiis et serviciis et releviis in grangiis et virgulis infra
burgum et extra cum soch et sach et thol et theam et infan-
genethef.

Concedimus etiam eis et hominibus sufs quietanciam de
theloneo et passagio et pontagio et de schiris ct hundredis et
de omnibus placitis et querelis et de pecunia que ad murdrum
et latrocinium pertinet.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 61

Preterea concedimus eis et hominibus suis quietanciam de
heingwita et de flemeniswita et de blodwita et de girthwita et
de liidagio et scutagio et geldis et danegeldis et de operacioni-
bus castellorum et de essart et de wasto foreste et de rewardo
et placitis foreste et de auxiliis vicecomitum et de misericordia
comitatus et de omnibus auxiliis et de clifwardis et de consue-
tudinibus et de moris et de omni seculari servicio et exactione.
Concedimus etiam eis pasturam in moris per totam annum
ad omne genus peeudum suorum.

Prohibemus etiam ne quis predictos monachos gravet vel
eis aliquam injuriam aut molestiam aut gravamen faciat, nee
eos in placitum ponet de aliquo tenemento nisi coram nobis
vel capitali justiciario nostro.

Testibus : Hugone Dun, Johanne Norwic, Huberto Sarum
episcopis. Rogero le Bigot, Waltero filio Roberti, Galfrido
filio Petri.

Dat' apud S. Eadmundum, Nov. 18, per manum Willielmi
Elien. electi, cancellarii nostri A. R. primo. (Cartae Anti-
que, S. No. 19.)

84. We have another glimpse of the Abbey in 1196, when
we find William, Abbot of Bukfestria, witnessing the execu-
tion of the foundation deed of the Premonstratensian Abbey
of Tor by William Lord Bruiere, in that year.

85. Early in the thirteenth century we find Nicholas
Abbot at Buckfast, he granting to John Lambrith lands and
houses at Exeter, in what was then and still is the High
Street there.

Omnibus fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit
NICHOLAUS, Abbas de Buckfesti, et ejusdem loci conventus,
salutem in Domino

Noverit universitas vestra nos concessisse et dedisse
Johanni Lambrith totam terram et domus nostras que
fuerunt Ailmari Atlekin in Exon, scilicet duos sellas in
regno vice cum introitu ejusdem domus versus magnum
vicum Exonie, et omnes domos et terram retro, cum solario
et pertinenciis sicud paries domus Ricardi Stukard' recta
linea ducit in cimiterium sibi et illis quos inde heredes con-
stituere voluerint, Tenendum de nobis inperpetuum jure
hereditario libere et quiete reddendo inde annuatim nobis et
successoribus nostris unam libram piperis ad pascha et domui
hospitalis Sancti Johannis decem solidos per manu nostra ad
quatuor annis terminos. Et nos tenemur warantizare pre-
dictas sellas et domos et terram predicto Johanni et here-
dibus suis adversus omnes homines.

62 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Et si predicta tenementa prefato Johanni et heredibus
suis warantizare non possumus faciemus sibi vel heredibus
suis rationabile exscambium.

Pro hac autem concessione et donatione nostra dedit nobis
predictus Johannes vigniti et quinque marcas argenti. Quod
ut firmum permaneat sigillo nostro presenti scripto apposito
confirmavimus.

Hiis Testibus :

Magistro Willielmo Paz.

Samsone et Rogero filiis Henrici tune prepositis.

Waltero filio Turberti.

Willielmo Hastemend.

Johanne Caperum.

Martino Toton.

Johanne Puddin.

Johanne filio Walteri filii Tuberti.

Roberto Tabernar.

Waltero le Gyawe.

Hare et multis aliis.

Original in possession of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter.
— (Oliver's Monast. Sup. pp. 33, 34.)

86. By this deed one pound of pepper is reserved annually
to the abbot and his successors and 10s. to the house of the
hospital of St. John, Exeter. That the Abbey of Buckfast
was interested in, and helped to support this hospital,
formerly that of St. Alexius, it is certain, but, so far, I have
not been able to ascertain what the nature of the connection
between them was. From an entry in the register of the
hospital, now in possession of the Corporation of Exeter, Dr.
Oliver thought that Abbot William granted an annuity of
30s. to the master and brethren of the old hospital, to issue
from certain estates, the names of which are given as
Lamenecote and Emilde, of which we know nothing now.

87. In 1207 a thirteenth part of the goods of the Church
was demanded of the bishops aiid clergy by King John.
The Cistercians were exempt from this demand, John being
a friend of the order : " Ad quam colligendam misit ministros
suos per universos comitatus Anglice ; at hac exactione liber
fuit ordo Cisterciensis." — (Annales de Waverleia Ann.
Monast. ii. p. 258.)

88. About this same time we find the abbey received
further gifts. Richard de Bauzan, whose pedigree I have
not been able satisfact % ily to make out, gives all his land of

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 63

Holne, with the appurtenances, to the abbot and convent of
Buckfast.

Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Ricardus Bausan dedi,
concessi, et. hac presenti carta mea confirmavi abbati et con-
ventui de Bufestre, Deo et beate* Marie servientibus, in puram
et perpetuam elemosinam, pro animabus patris mei et matris
mee et fratris mei Stephani Bauzan, totam terram meam de
Holna cum omnibus pertinentiis suis ut in dominicis, villena-
giis, boscis, turbariis, homagiis, et serviciis liberorum, vide-
licet Stephani Mugge, Michaelis Mugge, Wimundi Sele,
Osberti Corbyn, et Warini de Budditone, et omnibus aliis
pertinentiis tenendam et habendam dictis abbati et conventui
et eorum successoribus vel cui earn assignare voluerint, de
me et heredibus meis, libere, quiete, iutegre et pacifice jure
hereditario imperpetnam in viis semitis, &c. faciendo inde
mihi et heredibus meis ipsi et successores sui vel eorum
assignati tricessimarn partem feodi unius militis pro omni
servicio, querela, demanda, acta et exactioue.

Hiis testibus : Gilberto de Umfranvill, Hugone de Cardi-
nan, Martino de Fisacre, Gilberto filio Stephani, Philippe de
Bodrigan, Waltero Bernas, Nicholao de Ferariis, et aliis.

89. Lysons states that " the Manor of South Holne was
given to the Abbey of Buckfastleigh by Reginald de Valletort,
in the early part of the thirteenth century," Devon, p. 277, and
goes by on to say that another manor of Holne was given them
by Stephen Bauzun, which is manifestly a mistake. I have not
been able to verify the statement that the Valletorts were
donors to the abbey either of lands in Holne or elsewhere,
and if, as seems to be the case from the deed I have just
given, from the information given by the Hundred Roll, and
from the fact of the arms of the Abbey being still to be seen
upon the screen in the church, the monks held lands there,
they must in some way have disposed of them before the
Dissolution, for the ministers' accounts contain no mention
whatever of property there. Of course the statement of
Lysons, that the church of Holne was appropriated to the
Abbey of Buckfast, is a mistake. It belonged to the see of
Exeter, and was granted by Bishop Grandisson to St. John's
Hospital in that city.

90. There is an order, dated in 1215, from King John to,
among others, the Abbots of Ford and Buckfast, for the
delivery of whatever vessels, jewels, &c. might be in their
custody, handed them for safe keeping. This appears to be

64 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

one instance of the ordinary deposit of valuables with the
officers of a religious house for their preservation, and not a
deposit to secure the repayment of a loan due to the house,
an instance of which we shall find further on.

91. In 1225, among the Feet of Fines, there is an entry
of the final proceedings on the sale to the abbot of seven
acres and a half of meadow land in Sele, which I give, as it
enables me to add the name of Abbot Michael, the first of
some abbots whose names have not hitherto been recorded,
which I have the pleasure of adding to the list contained in
the Monasticon.

Hec est final concordia fca in curio Dm Keg apd Exon
Die Sabfci pxa post octab trinitatis Anno Regn Reg Henr fit
Regis Johis Duodecim Coram Thorn de Mule? Robto de
Lexin? Rado Musard & Jordan Oliv justic ItiSantib} & aliis
dni Reg fidelib} tuc ibi psentib} Int Simone Lampreie
petete & Michaele Abfem de Buffesfr tenente de Septem acris
pati & dimid cu p_tin in Sele. Un assa mortis aricessor
sumonita fuit hit eos in pfata curia Scilicet q<J pdcus Sim
remisit & quietu clamavit de se & ftedib} suis ipi Abfti & suc-
cessorib3 suis & ecctie sue de BufFestr imppin totu jus & clamiu
quod fruit in toto pdco pato cu ptin. Et p hac remissioe
quieta clamancia fine & cocordia idem Abbas dedit pdco
Simon Septe marcas argnti.

Feet of Fines, Devon. Henry III. No. 107.

92. The friendship of John for the Cistercians did not last
long. After his excommunication, he continued his exactions
from the Church. The chronicler of Waverley tells us : —

Idem rex collecto multo exercitu in mense Junio trans-
fretavit in Hiberniam, ubi hostibus ad votum subactis dimissis
ibi episcopo Norwicensi, Johanne de Grai, et Willelmo Mares-
callo mense Septembri minus infestus omnibus viris Cister-
ciensis ordinis rediit. Convenerat enim eos antequam trans-
fretaret, sicut et cseteros, de auxilio ipsi praestando contra
iminicos suos; et quia idem Cistercienses pecuniam ei ad
libitum suum contra libertatem ordinis sui dare noluerunt, in
immensum eos afflixit, et a singulis domibus brevissimo
temporis spatio indulto, multe valde causum ita ut summa
xxxiii m et ccc marcatum collectio ilia excederat, violenter
extorsit. Ipsi vero per diversas domos monachorum et cano-
nicorum dispersi sunt. Waverleia vero, omnibus facultatibus
suis distractis et ablatis, facta similiter dispersione mona-

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 65

chorum et conversorum circumquaque per Angliam, regis
iram patienter sustinuit. Abbas ejusdem loci Johannes ter-
tius timore regis peterritus, domum suum reliquit et de nocte
latente aufugit. Acta sunt [hsec] circum festum bead Mar-
tini. Prohibuit etiam rex ut nullus de ordine Cistereiensi
transfretaret, aut de alienis in Angliam veniret.

Annales de Waverleia. (Ann. Monast. vol. ii. p. 265.)

93. Letters resigning their property were also extorted
from the Cistercians and others, and under Henry III. both
monks and Jews suffered. In the year 1225, when the
King confirmed the charters, a fifteenth of all movables in
the kingdom was granted to him to enable him to recover the
English possessions in France. The annalist from whom I
have quoted says : —

" Monachi vero Cisterciensis ordinis, tarn pro libertatibus
quam pro gratia et benevolentia regis habenda, dederunt ei
duo milia marcas argenti. Judaei autem existentes in Anglia
dederunt ei eodem tempore quinque milia marcas argenti." —
Ann. Waverleia ii., p. 300.

Were the Jews richer than the monks, or were they more
patriotic ?

94. In 1236 the abbot and monks became members of the
Merchants' Gild of Totnes. On the back of a roll of the gild,
in the possession of the Corporation of Totnes, is written a
covenant between the abbot, probably Michael or Howell,
and the Convent of Buffestleigh, 20 Henry III., and the
burgesses of Totnes, to the effect that the latter have ad-
mitted the abbot and monks into the guild, so that they
might make all their purchases in the same way as the bur-
gesses, all sales, however, being excepted " nomine tabernae "
by way of trading. Third Report, Hist. MSS. Com. p. 343.
To go forward a little, twenty-four years later, we find the
Abbot of Buffestie second on the roll of the gild, then
numbering about two hundred members, following the Abbot
of Tor.

95. In 1243 we have entries on the Assize Rolls relating
io disputes with the convent in respect to various properties.

Plac' Corone et Assise,

28 Hen. III. Devon.

AsSa venit rec Si Prior de Plumton iniste etc. dis§ Abfcem
de Buffestre de Communa paste sue i Walleworth que ptinet
ad libm ten suu in ead villa pt p'ma etc.

K

66 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Et Prior veil & nich die qr assa remaneat.

Jur dnt qd ^dcs Prior dis§ pdcm Abbem de pdca comuna
ini5te etc. sic bre die. Et 10 Consid est qd Abbs rec seis suam
1 Prior i mia. p pi Walr*i de Bath.

Dampn. ij s.

* * * *

*****

Witts Swenge & Isab vx ei9 petut. v1 Abbem de Buffestr
dim ferling tre cu ptifi in Nyrifeud ut Jus & heditatem ipius
Isab & i qua ide Abbs no Jit ingrm n1 p Robm de Waleworth
qui no n1 custodiam in huit du pdca Isab fu1 inf8 etate & in
custodia sua etc.

Et Abbs ven & voc inde ad war Henr de Altariis qui ^sens
est & ei war & deffend Jus suu qn T;c & tale ingrm & die qd huit
ingrm i eand tra rj Wittm frem f rem* ipius Henr. Et qd ita
sit ponit se sup priam. Et Wills & Isab sitr. Et ido fiat
inde Jurata.

Jur dnt qd pdcs Abbs huit Ingrm i pctcam ?ram rj pdcm
Robm de Waleworth du pdca Isablla fuit if* etatem & i
custodia ipius Robti Diciit & qd pdcaf carta qa Abbs pfert de
feofFamento pdce fire fca fuit ptq pdcs Robs eide Abbi dimis
pdcam tra. Et 10 con§ est qd Will's & Isab rec seis suam.
Et Henr in mia p pi Willi de Muthecumb & Robti de
Avayngnes. Et fac escamb pdco Abbi ad vain pdce tre etc.
Et Abbs in mia p magna tansgr.

Plac' de Jur' Coron' &c.

33 Hen. III. Devon.

Ad de Broth qui tulit bre nove dissie vs9 Abbem de Bucfestr
& alios in bri de Libo ten suo in Tottori ven & retaxit se. lo
ipe & pleg sui de ps in mia scilt Hugo de Corndon Rics
Doulelegh de Brenta. Pleg Ad de mia sua.

.^|

>l-2
j

Assize Roll 1
32

96. The same year, on the Feet of Fines, we have an
entry relating to another purchase by the convent of eight
ferlings of land in Engleburn in the parish of Harberton.

Hec est final concordia fca in Cur Dni Reg ap Exofi In
castino See Trinitatis Ann Regfi Reg Henr fit Reg Joh
vicesimo octavo Cora Rog'o de Thurkelby Gilbto de Pston
Johe Abbe de Shyleborn & Robto de Bello capo Justic

* Sic. bis.

f It will be seen that no charter is before mentioned.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 67

ItiSantib} & aliis dni Regf fidelib} tuc ibi presentib} In?
Abbem de Buffestr quer & Thorn de Reyny & Johanna ux
ejus inped de Octo filing tre cu ptiri in Engeleburn Unde
plac War carte sum fuit in? eos in eadem cur Scitt qd pcdi
Thorn T; Johanna recognovut tola pdcam tra cu omib3 ptin
suis esse jus ipius Abbis T; Ecctie sue de Buffestr ut ilia q""
idem Abbas 1 Ecctia pdca hent de dono pdcox Thorn T; Johe
Habend 1 Tenend eidm Abfei T; succ suis 't Ecctie sue pdce de
pdcis Thorn 1 Johanna T: hedib} ipius Jone in Iib9am T; ppetua
Elemosina. Reddendo in rj annu unu par Cyrothecaru albaru
pcii sex denr T; sex denr ao!^ festu sci Mich et faciendo in
forinsecu svic qd ad pdcam Vra ptinet p 6i ?vico 1 exaccoe
Et pdci Thorn T; Joha T; h9edes ijpi5 Johe Warantizabut pdco
Abbi T; succ suis T; Ecclie sue pdce tota pdcam tra cu omnib3
ptifi suis in Iib9am 1 ppetua elemosinam sua p pdcm svic
conta ofhs homies inppetuii. Et p hac recognicoe War fine
T; concordia Idem Abbs dedit pdcis Thorn T; Johe sexaginta
T; dece marcas argenti. — (Pedes Finium Devon. Hen. III.
No. 369.)

97. From the collections of Sir William Pole in the British
Museum I have gleaned some little information relating to
the Abbey, and some of its abbots. The first is dated the
Feast of St. Lambert, 1246, and another William, hitherto
unmentioned, is named in it.

Wiftus Abbas de Bukfastr et ejusd. Loci Convent Salut
Nov Cum aliquando mot esset Placit inter nos et Wifto de
Sto Stephano de 24 Acris terre in La Dene una pax et con-
cordia facta fuit in Curia Dni Reg inter nos et idm [sic]
Wiftum de Sto Stephano Man suu de Dene Ded. Priori et
Convent de Plympton nos dicta conces. confirm. Test Dno
Tho : Arch. Tott»n. D*° Wfto de Widworthy et Galfrido de
Prideas Mili?. Galfrido de La Ya, Robto le Peyterin alijsq^.
Dat in festo sli Lambti 1246.— (Add. MSS. Brit. Mus.
28,649, p. 381.)

98. In 1247 Howell was abbot, and Durandus, Dr.
Oliver says, was probably his successor, and in his time it is
likely that those strange proceedings which occurred on the
death of Bishop Blondy were investigated, and, as the abbot
seems to have taken an important part in the inquiry, and as
the inquiry was conducted in the chapter-house at Buckfast,
I have thought it well to refer shortly to the matter. Bishop
Blondy was consecrated Dec. 1st, 1245. He died 26 Dec.,

K2

68 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

1257. He was a prelate of piety and learning, and con-
scientiously discharged the duty of his high office, but his
biographers have confounded him with another of the same
name, his opposite in every respect. Soon after his death
his enemies traduced his memory and accused him of allow-
ing his servants to forge collations for their personal benefit.
This, of course, soon came to the knowledge of his successor,
Walter Bronescombe, and on the 19th of March Walter of
Loddeswell, the Chancellor, and Richard of Totnes, a notary,
appeared before the Bishop and the Abbot of Buckfast in
the chapter-house of Buckfast, and confessed to them that
on the night of the late Bishop's death they entered his
chamber and found several persons engaged in drawing up
and signing letters for the disposal of benefices and the appro-
priation of the effects of the Bishop, who then, if not actually
a corpse, was in extremis, and that after the parties were fully
satisfied of the death of the Bishop many other letters were
written and signed. Fuller details of the affair will be found
in the extracts from Bishop Bronscombe's Register, given in
the Lives of the Bishops by Dr. Oliver.*

99. In 1268 I can add the name of another new abbot,
Henry, his name appearing in the following extract : —

A° Regni Regis H. fit Johis 53 Facta fuit hsec concordia
inter Henr Abbrn de Bukfast et ejus[d] Loci convent et
Rich filiu Aluredi de Dodeworthy p ccmuni pastura in Man
de Brent. Test Dn° Wifto Probo [i.e. Prous] Johede Niveton
Johe de Boy vile Wifto de Killbury Wifto de Chiverston
Johe de Davayly Petro de La Ya' et mult, alijs. — (Add.
MSS. Brit. Mus. 28,649, p. 381.)

100. In the episcopal registers, where we frequently find
similar entries, there is a record of Simon being blessed as
abbot by the bishop on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John
the Baptist, 1272.

101. The conveyance of the land in Holne parish by
Richard Bauzan is said by Dr. Oliver to have been made
in the time of this abbot. My impression is that it is of
earlier date, but as I before said I have not been able satis-
factorily to make out the Bauzan pedigree, and the learned
doctor probably, although he does not give any evidence,
satisfied himself as to the correctness of his statement.

102. I now come to the entries in the important documents
known as the Hundred Rolls, which contain the results of

* Lives of the Bishops of Exeter, pp. 37, 38, and 39

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 69

the survey made by special commissioners appointed by
Edward I. to ascertain the state of the demesne lands, the
revenue of the crown, the various tenures by which lands
were held, and so forth.

103. We find from the roll relating to Devon that the
property of the Abbey had not much increased since Domes-
day. Curiously enough Holne, said to have been granted by
Richard Bauzan only a year or so before, is mentioned as
Sutholn, the gift to the Abbey of Richard Bareyn. The
commissioners made their returns, and, as it was necessary
for the Court of Exchequer to have in one view such parts of
them as affected the crown and its rights, a selection from the
fuller returns was made containing the entries relating to
these matters. These latter rolls are called extracts, and they
are valuable, as the fuller rolls of some counties are altogether
lost. Fortunately both the rolls relating to Devon are in
existence, and I give here the return of the commissioners,
and the extract therefrom as well, relating to the land of
Buckfast: —

Rotuli Hundredorum, Edward I. Printed ed. 1812. Bndtfatt.

Hoc e' vered'cm xij jurator' Hundr'i forms' de Er-
my'tone.

Jurati Walt' de Fenton Joh de la Porte Alvedr' de Ponte
WTills de Karswiil Ric de Leg' Joh' de Collaton Ric de
Colamor' Rob4 de Gudeford Rand' de Bahecumb' Rob*' de
Wonigwill Walt' de Longeham Joh' de Bosco p' sacament'
suu diet.

It' BATTEKESBURNE HETFELL & ESSA tenet' fuer Jde cFnico
corori1 de Regb} pdecessorib) Reg' q1 fie e E in capite &
tenet m° abbas & dom9 Bufestie in pura & ppet' elemosina a
q° tpr ignorat. p. 69.

It' abbas & dom9 Bufestr' hnt' furcas in maner' de HET-
FELL & assisam servis' ibichn & ap' BATTEKESBUHR a q° tpr'
& q° war' ignorat'. p. 69.

It' BACEKESBURHE HETFELL & ESSA fu9nt de cmico corone Extrm r.
j>dec R & tenet modo abbat Bufest'e in pura & ppetuam
elemosina a quo tpe ignorant, p. 90.

It' abbas Bufestr' habet furc' in manJio de HETFELL & Extract'.
assam cvisie ibide & apud HATTEKESBURH a quo tpe & quo
waranto ignorant, p. 91.

Vered'cm Hundr' de Schefbeare.

Et Abbas de Bufest'a het apud PAT'CHSTOWE furcas assisam
cvis & alias libertates regias & het war' sed de quo Rege
ignorant, p. 78.

70 THE CISTERCJAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Extract'. & Abbas de Buffestria ht apud PATRICHESTOWE furc' &

assias cvisie and alias libertat' regias & habet war' de quo'
Rege ignorant, p. 94.

Veredictu' xij It' q1 clamant retrnu vl extactu breviu & q1, tenent placit'

jur'deHundr's (je naumeo vetito vl clamant here wrecku mar.

Dicut qd'nuft sed . . . . & man'iu de BRENTE &

rchurchtowe.] man'ia de BUFFESTR' q1 sut abbat' de Buffestr .... &
maniu de THURESTOWE ten} abbas de Buffest* & hnt furcas &
assis' pan' & s'vic & in q° maSio est novu' burg' q' respondet
p' se pr vi. mr & tenent nicatu die Ven'is & tenet placit'
assis' pan., & s'vis q° waranto ignorant, p. 79.

It' de his q1 hnt libtate p Reg. Angl' concessas.

Dicut qd abbas de Buffesf clam' here libtate qd q'eti sint de
hid' murdriis & aliis q'ib} guldis quo warranto ignorant,
p. 79.

It' de ppresfis fcis.

Dicut qa abbas de BufFesf' & convent' fecunt ppresfam de
q°d magno wasto 9munis mora in austale pte de DERTEMORE
ad nocumentu' toci' pat'e q' in tepe H. Reg' p'tis d'ni E' Reg'
q1 nuc est Howaldus abbas de Biffest1' and convent' predic1'
wastu' sibi approp'aViit & tent & vendut carbon' tlb & pastras
de anno in annu & capiut inde redd' quo waranto ignorant
ad dampm annuatim xls. p. 79.

It' dicut' q'd Rog's Mirabel tenuit t'ram de SCIREDON de
d'no Reg' in capit' p' s'jantiam tf'u sagittal quandocuq' d'ns
Rex creret in foresta de DERTEMORE q' fee' feloniam p' qd
utlagiat' fuit & tuc' predcam tram accidit in man' dni Reg. H.
pat's dni Reg' Ed q1 dedit illam magro Walto Medico & modo
ten} Joh' de Boyvile & Dyonis' ux' sua fil & hes' predci
Walt1! & ptea duo ferling' tre in KYNGDON ptin predce s'ganc
de SCIREDON alienata est de novo tepe isti' Reg' p' Nichm de
Kyngdon libe tenent' predce tre de KYNGDON q1 dedit illam
abbat' & convent' de Buffestre & val} p' ann' x sol', p. 79.

Veredictu' Hundri' de Teyngebrugg'.

Dicut & q' mania de Kingdon Sekiredon & Hokneton
fu^unt in manu' dni R. H. pat's dni Reg' nuc tanqa eschaet'
sua p' fellon' cujsdam felonis Rog)1 Mirabel & ilia maSia
dedit Walto de Skiredon p s'vic' iijs ad festu Sci Michis &
t'um sagitta^ qando dns R voluit venare in foresta de
DERTEMORE. Que q!d mania p mortem pdci Watti decendebant
cuidam Dionis' filie sue qam Johnes de Boyvile ht in ux' &
id:m tenent mania p'dicta mania de dno R p' s'vic pdcm
excepto uno ferlingo tre q' abbas Buffestr' m° ten} p'

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 71

alienacone Nichi de Kingdon tenen1 del Johnis de Boyvile
qam fee' eidm abbti & valent mania pdicta p' annu xlas unde
KINGDON valet viij s. p. 81.

D' hiis qui Clam' returmi' vel extract' breviu' &c.

Dnt qd qd Hugo de Ferrar' & Witts de Chiv'ston apud Hund' de
Thurleston, Gilbo de Cnovitt Lodeswell Abbas de Buffestria Stauburg'
apud BRENTE & BUFFESTR' Johes de Boyvill apud Sciredon Extract-
prior de Plimton apud DEN Abbas de Sco Donmel' apud
RASTRIWE Nich8 fil Martini apud DERLINGTON Rog's de
Mules apud DUPEFORD et Johes de Besillis apud ALFINGTON
hut furc' & assisas c'visie set [sed ?] nesciut quo waranto.
It' Abbas Buffest'e in man'io de Churestorwe habet fur' et
assias panis & c'visie in quo man'io est novo burg' qui res-
pondit p' se p' vj jur' & tenet m'cutu die Venis & hut assias
panis & c'visie 85 nesciut quo waranto. p. 91.

It de hiis qui h'nt libertate &c.

D'nt q'd abbas Buffestrie clam' hre lib' qd quiet' est de Extract,
hidag' murdriis & aliis comunib} gildis 53 nesciut quo war'
& man'iu de DERTIGTON et Dupeford quiet' sint d'colb)
gildis & de turno vie' 33 nesciut quo war'. Et seid q'd
Nichs fil Martini tenet man'iu de DERTIGTON Rog's de Mules
man'iu de DUPEFORD & Gilb' de Conevill man'iu de LODES-
WELL, p. 91.

It de hiis qui de novo appropriav'int chac' &c.

Dnt qd man'ia de DUPEFORD DERLINGTON and L

clam' hre warenna & hut 53 a quo tpe vl quo waranto
ignorant.

D'nt q'd abbas de Buffestria & convent' fec'int purprestura
de quoda' magno vasto comun' more in australi p'te de
DERTEMORE ad nocumentu' totius patrie q' in t'pe H. Reg'
p'ris d'ni Reg' nuc (nup ?) Hewaldus abbas Buffestrie & (Sic].
convent' p'dcs vastu sibi appropriav'ut & tenet & vendut
carbones turbas & pasturas de anno in annu & capiunt inde
redd quo waranto ignorat ad dapnu annuali XL. sol. p. 91.

Hund' de Colrig'.
D' feodis dni' Reg' & tenentibu3 ejus &c.

D'nt qd Rog's de Valle Torta tenuit baronium de Hurberton
cu membr' de d'no Rege in capite p' s'viciu duoa militu' ad
bellu quando dns Rex h'uit necesse v'l qatuor armigeru' &
eadem baronia est nuc in manu d'ni Reg' p' morte d'ci Rog'i
de qua baronia Abbas de Bufest'a tenet SUTHOLN p' donu

72 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Rici' Bareyn qui feoffat' fuit de baronia de Hurberton et dedit
eide abbati t'pe H. Keg1 p'ris dni R' nuc xl. q'nto.

K d'nt q'd abbas de Bufest'a tenet centu' acr' bosci apud
Sutholn in man'io de Huberton que boscu elemosinavit Rads
de Valle Torta fra't dci Rog'i nuper defuncti d'co abb'ti
tpe ejusde' H. Reg' p'ris dni R. nuc XL. sodo. p. 89.

104. In consequence of the returns of the commissioners
it is supposed that the statute of Gloucester was enacted, and
various holders of land were called upon to answer " Quo
Waranto " such things had or had not been done, and in the
Rolls of the Pleadings in answer we find that the Abbot of
Buckfast was called upon to defend the then possessions of
the house, inasmuch as he claimed to have a view of frank-
pledge, assize of bread and beer, and free warren, and a
gallows in Buckfast, Churstow, Heathfield, and Batteburg.
The abbot by his attorney pleaded that he claimed no free
warren, and that as to the gallows he produced the deed of
Richard I., which gave him the rights he exercised, and as to
the other matters he pleaded that the crown had no right to
question him, for the places where they were exercised were
within the precincts of the hundred of Roger de Moles and
Richard, the Lords of the Manors of Stanborough and
Ermington respectively. On behalf of the King it was alleged
in reply, that privileges of that kind especially pertained to
the King, and, as the abbot showed no warrant from the
crown, judgment was demanded on its behalf. As far as I
know there is no account of the termination of the case,
which was tried at Exeter. It frequently happened that pro-
ceedings, up to a certain point, were carried on, and then
dropped, either because the King's advisers knew they had a
bad case, or because it was not thought worth while to dis-
turb the holders, or, which perhaps happened as frequently as
either of the others, that unmolested possession was retained
by judicious bribes.

At Exeter. Abbas Buffestr sum fuit ad respond: dfio Regi de pio quo

Octave of St. "War clam hre visum fdnci pleg emend aSs panis & cvis f^cte &
i) lOEd I ^ur^ in Buffestr Thorestowe Hecfeld & Batteberg & libam
A.D. 1281. Warenn in dnicis tris suis ibidm sine licenc etc.

Et Abbas p atorn suu veri Et quo ad libam warenn die qd
nullam warenn clam in pdcis viil Et quo ad furc die qd dfis
Rics Rex concessit ei Infangenethef & Itfangenethef in omib}
pdcis viil p cartam suam qam pft & hoc idm testatr Io inde
sine die Et quo ad visum tanci pleg emend ass panis & cvis

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 73

fete in Buffestr & Thorestowe die qd sunt infra pcinctum
Hundri Rog'i de Moeles de Stanberwe Et quo ad Hecfeld &
Battebergh die qd sunt infa pciiictii Hundri Rici fit Stephi de
Ermington in quibus Hundr nich pot ace see dno Regi Et pet
judm.

Here, in the later entry mentioned below, follows : " Et
petit Judm si dns Rex accoem heat ad pdcas lifetates petendas
que sunt in alienis Hundfis."

Et Witts de Gyselham qui sequitr etc. Die qd huj^mod
lifetates spalit ptinent ad Coron dni Reg Et desic nullu aliud
ostend war lo ad judm.

Dies dat9 est coram dno Rege a die. Pasch in unu mensem
ubicuq, etc. [de audo Judo etc Et Abbas po lo suo Waltm de
fFyrsedon, added on the Roll in the note.]

Ml
Assize Roll. Devon 1 >Memb. 20 d.

34j
M]

A similar entry in the Assize Roll 1 > 3 on memb. 37,

33j

with, here and there, a trifling variation in the Record. The
names of places are written : "in Buffestre Thurescowe Het-
feld & Batteburg & lifeam warennam in dnicis suis ibidem sine
licencia etc." This last-mentioned entry will also be found in
the Placita Quo Waranto. ed. Record Com. fol. 1818, p. 168.

105. Of Robert, who was confirmed abbot in 1280, we
have nothing to record. He did not, I think, continue abbot
long, for I have found that Peter, whom Oliver mentions as
occurring in 1306, was abbot at least as early as 1290, and
his name appears again in 1295-6, as will be seen from the
following extracts : —

A° Regis E. 19, facta convene, inter Petru Afctem de
Buckfastre et ejusd Loci convent ex vna |>te et Jorie de
Hubernford ex alt. p terra in Brenta. Test. Witto de Kil-
berry Wifto de Boyvill. P. 9. (P. 381.)

Convencio facta 24 E. inter Petr. Abb. de Buckfastr etc.
et Johm Welbrok p ?ra in Breiita. Test. Pho de Boterford,
Hen le Norreis, Hug de Corndon, Rico de la Forde, Rico de
la Forde, Rico de Hubernford, 24 E. 1, p. 10. (Additional
MSS. Brit. Mus. 28,649, p. 380.

106. In Abbot Peter's time the Survey for the Taxation of
Pope Nicholas was taken. In 1288 this Pope gave to Edward
I. the tenth of all the revenues of the churches in England,

L

74

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Scotland, and Ireland, in aid of the war in the Holy Land.
The survey was not made till 1291 and 1292, as the King did
not immediately avail himself of the benevolence of the Church.
The entries relating to this abbey are as follows : —

Decanat de Cadebur. Taxatio. Decima.

Abbas Buffestr' p'cipit de ecclia de Donne 2 00 0 40

Decanatus de Chamlegh.

Abbas Buffestr' p'cipit de ecclia de Sele

Decanatus de Totton.

Ecclia de Brenta , . . . . 6 13 4 0 13 4

Vicar' de eadem . . . . . 1 10 0 non ex

Ecclia de Birfestr' . . . . 5 6 8 0 10 8

Vicar' de eadem . , . .100 non ex

Decanaf de Wodlegh.

2 13 4 0 54

Pens' alibi
bnfic

Abbas Bufestr' p'cipit de
Ecclia de Thurstonde*

0 13 4 0 14

Abbas
Buftr'
het

15
6

14
8

13
4
9

10

Archidiaconat' Tottori*.

Maniu de Brent q'd tax'
Maniu de Northon f q'd tax'
Apud Donfestr'J q'd tax'
ApudHedfelle§ q'd tax'
Apud Bankesburgh || q'd tax'
Apud BodrikestonH q'd tax'
Apud Sele q'd tax'
Apud Dymm'** q'd tax'
Apud Trisma q'd tax' . . 1 15
; Apud Robrok and Hyndon q'd tax' 0 8
Sina . . . 37 5 0
Dec' . . . 3 14 6

Taxatio Ecclesiastica, P. Nicholai, pp. 144,
146, 149, 151-153, fol. 1802.

107. In 1297, April 8, Edward I. visited the Abbey, pro-
bably on his way to Plympton Priory. He was in Devon-
shire fourteen years before, and spent some time at Exeter
with Queen Eleanor, and the Court kept Yule-tide in the
Bishop's palace.

108. Abbot Peter was one of the witnesses to a deed with
the Abbot of Tavistock and the Priors of Plympton and

* Churchstow.
t Notone.
± Buckfastleigh.
§ Heathfield.

|| Batisborough.
^f Petrockstowe,
** Donne.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 75

Totnes, which was an undertaking by the Burgesses of Ash-
burton to provide a maintenance for a priest and necessaries
for divine worship for the Chapel of St. Laurence, at Ash-
burton. A transcript of this deed will be found in the Lives
of the Bishops of Exeter, by Dr. Oliver, from the Registers
of Bishop Stapledon, p. 69. Robert, Stephen, and John de
Churstowe succeeded Peter, 1 Aug. 1316; 24 June, 1330;
and 1 Nov. 1332. I have not found a single entry relating
to acquisition of land, disputes leading to legal proceedings,
or to any event in the history of the Abbey during the time
of these three abbots.

109. William Giffard was confirmed 6th June, 1333, his
predecessor having been abbot for only about eight months.
He seems to have been more than once involved in contro-
versy as to the rights of his Abbey. I have not been able to
trace in the Year Books the particulars of the dispute between
him and the Stoners, the then Lords of the Hundred and
Manor of Ermington, mentioned by Dr. Oliver ; and 1 have
in other cases been unable to verify the learned doctor's
references to public records, which in two or three instances
I particularly regret.-

110. On the death of William Giffard early in 1349,
Philip was admitted, 21 May, 1349, and in the following
year he obtained from the King, a grant to his Abbey of
a weekly market at Buckfastleigh, and a yearly fair at
Brent, the former on Tuesday, and the latter on the feast
of St. Michael and the two preceding days, to be held on
Brent Down. I believe this fair is now represented by the
Brent September fair. How long the Buckfastleigh weekly
market continued I do not know, but an unsuccessful attempt
to revive it was made early in this century.

GRANT TO THE ABBEY OF BUCFASTE OF A WEEKLY MARKET
AT BUCKFASTLEIGH AND OF A YEARLY FAIR AT BRENT.

fy eisdem* saitm. Sciatis nos de gra nra spali concessisse pro abb'e et
Ht hac carta nra confirmasse difcis nob in xpo Abbi T; Conventui connentn de
de Bucfas? in Com Devon qd ipi T; successores sui imppetuu Bncfast-
heant vnu mcatu singlis septimanis p diem Martis apud
Bucfastenlegn T; vnam feriam singlis annis apud Brente in
quadam placea vocata Brentedoune p tres dies duraturam
vidett in die sci Michis in mense Septembr 1 p duos dies px
pcedentes nisi nlcatu illud 1 feria ilia sint ad nocumentu

* Archiep'is Ep'is Ducib' Comitib' Baronibus Jostle' vice commitib' pre-
positis Ministris et om'ibu' Ball's et fidelib' snis.

2 L

76 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

vicinofc rncatofc 1 vicina^ feria^ Quare volum5 T; fermit
pcipim9 p nob T: heredib} nris qd pdci Abbas 1 Conventus T:
successores sui imppetuu heant dca mcatu 't feriam apud
loca pdca cum omib} lifctatib} T; lifeis consuetudinib} ad
huiusmodi mcatu ^t feriam ptinentib} Nisi mcatu illud T: feria
ilia sint ad nocumentu vicinofc mcatoa T: vicinal feria^ sicut
pctcm est. Hiis testib} ve&abilib} prib3 J. Archiepo Ebo;p
Angl Primate Cancellario nro W. Epo Wynton TheS nro
Henr Duce Lancastr Wifto de Bohun Nortit T; Thoma de
Bello Campo Wampo Warr Comitib} Bartho de Burgherssh
seniore Jotie de Grey de Retherfeld Senescallo hospicij firi
I aliis. Dat p manu nram apud Wyndesore xxiiij die Aprilis.

p ipm Rege nunc Wifto Mugge.

(Charter Eoll 25 to 27 Edw. III. m. 7.)

111. Philip was not abbot long. He was succeeded by
Robert Simons, whose name I find frequently occurring in
legal documents for nearly forty years. As early as 1358 he is
mentioned, and as late as 1393. Whether it is that he was
particularly litigious, or that his predecessors had been lax
in their care of the rights of the Abbey, I do not know, but,
besides the case of the Abbey against the Dean and Chapter
of Exeter with reference to the fishery of the Dart,* I have
found references to several other cases in the Assize and De
Banco Rolls, some of which I give.

112. The first relates to a claim made against the abbot
by Richard Avery, who complains that on the Thursday after
the Feast of St. Dionysius in the 30th year of Edward III.,
the Abbot vi et armis, at Trusham, carried off the goods and
chattels of the said Richard, labour horses \_jumenta\^ oxen,
cows, heifers, calves, pigs, and sheep, besides corn, hay, straw,
and other things, and alleged that he was injured to the extent
of £100. The abbot in person stated, in reply to the charge,
that he ought not to be called upon to answer, inasmuch as
Richard Avery was his villein, belonging to the Manor of
Trusham, the property of his church of the Blessed Mary of
Buckfast, and sought judgment accordingly. Richard said
that he was a free man and not a villein, but the jury upon
their oaths were satisfied that poor Richard was nativus, and
the abbot had judgment. This document therefore is valu-
able, showing that at this time, 1358, the villein had no rights,
at all events against the lord of the soil. Professor Stubbs
eloquently describes the position of the nativus after the Con-

* Oliver's Monasticon, p. 371.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 77

quest, and shows that, although it may seem a hard one to us
at this time, it had many advantages. " Under a fairly good
lord, under a monastery or a college, the villein enjoyed im-
munities and securities that might be envied by his superiors ;
he had a ready tribunal for his wrongs, a voice in the ma-
nagement of his village ; he might with a little contrivance
redeem his children and start them in a higher state of life.
His lord had a peremptory claim on his earnings, but his
lord had a lord, whose claims on him were as irresistible, if
not as legally binding. He was excluded from juries and
assizes touching property, but by that exemption he was freed
from the risk of engaging in quarrels in which he would be
crushed without pity by the more powerful neighbour against
whom he might have to testify. If he was without political
rights, so were also the great majority of his superiors."*

Robtus Simon Abbas de Buckfestre attachus fuit ad res- At Exeter,
pondend Rico Averay de ptito tansgr p billam Et unde idem 32 Ed- HI-
Ricus in ppria psona sua quer8 qd die Jovis pi post fm sci pt' h
Dionis anno regni Reg E' nunc Angt tricesimo vi T; armis
videlt glad: 'tc apud Trussume bona T; catalla ipsius Rici scilt
tria Jumenta pcii quadraginta solido^ sex boves pcii quatuor
libra* quatuor vaccas pcii quadraginta solidorum duas Ju-
ventas pcii sexdecim solidoa duos bovettos pcii di marc tres
vitulos pcii sex solidox quinque porcos pcii qndecim solidox
nonaginta bidentes pcii sex lifer T; sexdecim solidorum cepit
T; abduxit T: quinq, q""rtia fr septem quartia siligis quatuor
quarPia aven duodecim trusses de feno sexaginta trusses
stramis quatuor coffr una caruca 1 ij hcias de ferro T; viginti
clayes p i fald ad valenciam decem libra£ cepit I asportavit
cont"" pacem T;c. unde dicit qd detioratus est T; dampnu het
ad valenciam centu librax. Et inde pducit sectam.

Et pdcus Robtus Abbas in ppfa psona sua venit T: dicit qd
pdcus Ricus responder non debet quia dicit qd idem Ricus
est nativus ipsius Abbtis de Mania suo de Trussume Et idem
Abbas 1 pdecessores sui Abbtes loci pdci seiti fuerunt de ipso
Rico T; antecessoribus suis ut de nativis suis MaSii sui pdci de
jure eccte sue be Marie de Bokfast T; petit judiciu etc. Et
pdcus Ricus dicit qd ipse est liber homo T: libe condicois T; non
nativus ipsius Abbtis put idem Abbas v'sus eu piitando allegat
1 hoc petit qd inquiratr p priam. Et pdcus Robtus Abbas
similiter. I'o prec est vie qd venire fac coram pfatis Justic hie
die M9cuf in prima septia quadragesime xxiiij01 tarn milites etc.
Et qui nee etc. ad recogri Ic. Quia tarn lc. idem dies datus

* Stnbbs, Const. Hist. vol. i. p. 430.

78 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

est ptibus pdcis etc. Ad quern diem coram Justic hie ven ptes
pdce in ppriis psonis suis Et Jur ven qui de consensu pdco£
Rica Averay T: Robti Simon Abbtis ad hoc eici triati '"I Jur
dicunt sup sacrm suum qd pdcus Ricus Averay est nativus
ipius Robti Simon Abbtis de manjio suo pdco put idem Abbas
supius allegat. I'o con§ est qd pdcus Ricus nichil capet p
billa sua set sit in mia p injusta querei sua Et pdcus Robtus
Abbas quietus sine die.

M

Assize Roll. 1
34

8 Memb. 4d. Devon.

113. In 1364, in the White Book of Tenures in Cornwall,
we have an order for the delivery of a tun of wine to the
Abbot of Buckfast. The Carmelites of Plymouth at the
same time obtained five tuns. I have printed this elsewhere.*

114. In 1366 there was a dispute with the Vicar of
Harberton, and in 1367 the abbot had occasion to take pro-
ceedings against John Prestcote and Matthew Kelly, who
had destroyed trees to the value of ten pounds.

Devon. Dies datus est Abbi de Buckfas? quer p Johem Wonard
alt suum T: Galfro vicar ecctie de Hubertoii p Jonem Wilby
att suu de ptito tansgr hie a die see Trinitat in xv dies pee
pciu sine essence. (De Banco Roll, 41 Edward III. Hilary,
m. 424.)

Devon. Abbas de Bukfast p Johem Prestecote attorn suu op se
iiijto die $sus Ricm Asshelegft T; Matheu Kellygh de ptito
quare vi T; armis arbores ipius Abbis ad valenc dece libraa
apud Bukfast nup crescent combusserunt T; alia enormia
Ic. Et ipi non ven et pdcus Ricus fuit attach p Johem Tide T;
Johem Hert I'o ipi in mia Et pc est vie qd distr eum p omnes
?ras T:c. et qd de excitib^ ^Ic. Et qd heat corpus eius hie a die
Pasche in tres septias p Justic T:c. et de pdco Matheo mand
vie qd nichil het \c. I'o pc est vie qd cap eum si T^c. et salvo
T;c. Ita qd heat corpus eius hie ad pfatum ?mifi Htc. (De
Banco Roll, Hilary, 42 Edward III. m. 163d.)

115. The next document is from Rymer's Fosdera. It
must not be supposed that John Beaumont was the Abbot of
Buckfast in 1372. Doubtless this proclamation was issued in
the time of trouble following the victory of the Spaniards
over the English off Rochelle, when the Earl of Pembroke
the son-in-law of the King, was taken prisoner.

* Ecclesiastical Hist. Old Plymouth, Appendix, p. 88.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 79

HOMINIBUS AD ARMA IN COMITATU DEVON* ARRAIANDIS.

I ^ex venerakili in Christo patri Thomae,
* eadem gratia episcopo Exon' ac dilectis
27 1 et fidelibus Sl"s Hugoni de Courtenay
in Turr' Lond" ' > comiti Devon', Johanni de Cheverston,
Theobaldi Greneville, Ricardo de Stapuldon,
Johanni Beaumond abbati de Bukfast, Johanni Daumarle,
Willielmo de Bykebury, et Martino Ferrers, salutem.

Sciatis quod nos, de fidelitate et circumspectione vestris
plenius coiifidentes, assignavimus vos, conjunctim et divisim,
ad omnes homines defensabiles comitatus Devon', infra
libertates et extra, exceptis nominibus, qui nobiscum iii
obsequium nostrum sunt profecturi, cum omni festatione
arrairi, et ipsos, videlicet, quemlibet eorum juxta statum et
facultates suas, armis competentibus muriiri, faciendum : et
ad ipsos, sic arraiatos et numitos, videlicet, illos qui terras vel
tenementa juxta costeram maris habent, ad morandum super
eisdem terris continue cum tota familia sua, et alios, terras et
tenementa super costeram praedictam non habentes, juxta
praemunitionem vestram, et cujuslibet vestrum ad costeram
praedictam quociens necesse fuerit, et periculum aliquod
iminuerit, viis et modis quibus melius expedire videritis,
venire compellandum, ibidem quamdiu indiguerit super salva
custodia terras maritimae continue moraturos, ad resistendum
malitiae inimicorum nostrorum, si qui regnum nostrum
invadere prsesumpserint.

Et ad omnes illos, quos in hac parte contraries inveneritis
seu rebelles, arestandum, et prisonis nostris mancipandum, in
eisdem moraturos, quousque de eorum punitione aliter
duxerimus ordinandum.

Et ideo vobis et cuilibet vestrum districtius quo poterimus,
mandamus, firmiter injungentes, quod circa prsemissa,
omnibus aliis praetermissis, cum omni diligentia et solicitudine
quibus poteritis, effectualiter intendatis, et ea faciatis et
exequamini in forma praedicta : et vos ipsi et qualibet vestriim
ad terras et tenementa vestra, costerse praedictsB propinquiora,
cum omni festinatione vos trahatis, ibidem super salva
custodia terrae maritimae, cum tota familia vestra continue
moraturi.

Damus autem vicecomiti nostro comitatus pracdicti, ac
universis et singulis aliis fidelibus nostris comitatus praedicti,
tarn infra libertates quam extra, tenore praesentium in
mandatis, quod vobis, et cuilibet vestrum in praemissis

80 THE C1STEECIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

pareant, obediant et intendant, quociens et quando per vos,
seu aliquem vestrum, super hoc ex parte nostr& fuerint
prsemuniti.

In cujus,

Teste Rege, apud Westm' xx die Julii

Per ipsum Regem et consilium.

[Rymer's Fcedera, vol. iii. p. 2, p. 956, ed. 1830.]

116. In the Year Book, 50 Edward III. 1375, is
mentioned the case of the Abbot of Bukfast versus the Dean
and Chapter of Exeter, John Wyllyot, and Robert Davy
[see ff. lOb and 11], and in the Liber Assisarum, 47 Edw.
III., the Dean and Chapter of Exeter and John Wiliot,
clerk, were attached to answer to Robert, abbot of Bukfast,
of the plea, " quare ipsi cum Thomas Bail de Staverton, etc.
injuste & sine judicio levaverunt quendam gurgitem in
Staverton ad nocument' liberi ten' sui in Bukfast post
primam, &c." The abbot used to take fish to the value of
40Z. per annum, and now cannot take more than to the value
of 10s. a-year. Arguments upon verbal omissions and
technicalities followed, but nothing apparently was done.
The last words are " Et sur ceo adjornatur."

117. The following relate probably to the same matter, and
are taken from the De Banco Roll : —

Devon. Jura int Abfeem de Bukfast quer 1 Rofetm Sumpter Decanu
ecctie beati Petri Exon T; Capitulum eiusde ecclie T; Joftem
Wyliet cticum de eo si pdcus Abbas pendente bri suo v*sus
ipos Decanu T; Capitulu T; Johem impetrato supponendo qd
ipi siml cum Thoma Baillyf de Stavtori iniuste \ sine indico
levaverunt quendam gurgitem in Stav'tori ad nocumentu lifei
ten ipius Abftis in Bukfast pstravit gurgitem p^dcm j> quod
idem Abbas bre suu vltius vsus pdcm Jotim manutenere non
debet sicut idem Johes dicit vel non sicut pdcus Abbas dicit
Et eciam si die impetracois bris pdci Abfeis scitt decimo die
Nov anno regni Regis nunc Angt quadragesimo pdci Decanus
T; Capitulu fuerunt tenentes vt de lifeo ten soli in Stav'tori vbi
supponit8 nocumentu pdcm fieri ad nocumentu lifoi ten pdci
Abfeis in Buckfast p qd ipi vt tenentes soli illius ad excepcoem
allegand in Cassacoem bris pdci admitti debeant sicut ijdem
Decanus T; Capitulu Dicunt vel non Immo pdco die impe-
tracois bris pfat Jofees Willyet fuit tenens eiusdem soli vt de
libo ten sicut pdcus Abbas dicit ponit"" in respcm hie vsq,, a
die Pasche in xv dies nisi Justic dni Regis ad assias in com
pdco capiend assign p forma statuti etc. die M9cur px post fm

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 81

sei Mathie Apli apud Exofi prius ve&int p defcu Jur quia
nullus vefi. I'o vie heat corpa etc. — (De Banco Roll, 48 Edw.
III., Hilary m. 169 d.)

Jura int Johem Welyet quef T; Robtm Abfcem de Bukfast Devon.
T: fratre Johem Skyredon frem Radm Midd el worthy frem
Rofem Cok* 1 frem Walterum Morchard comonac eiusde
Abfcis de pfito tansgr ponit"" in respectu hie vsq3 a die Pasche
in tres septias £ Justic nisi Justic dni Reg ad assias in corn
jpdco capiend assign p forma statuti etc. die Mercur px post
festu sci Mathie Apli apud Exon prius veSint p defcu Jur
quia nullus veil. I'o vie heat corpa etc. Ad que die vefi ptes
etc. Et vie non mi§ bfe. I'o Jura ^dca ponit"" in respcm hie
vsq3 a die see Trinitatis in xv dies p def 'cu Jur quia nullus
vefi. I'o vie heat corpa Ic. Ad que die * *

Further put in respite to Michaelmas, then to Hilary.
(Apparently here the Record stops, but the writing is so bad,
.small, and close, that it is difficult to say positively). — Ibid.
m. 263.

118. In 1377 we again find Abbot Robert in legal mire,
prosecuting James Audeley for interfering with the river
Dart and the fishery at Dartington, Staverton, and Little
Hempston. No decision upon the case can be found. It is
repeated de novo in subsequent Rolls.

Jacobus de Audele Chivaler sum fuit ad respondend Rofeto Devon
Abfcti de Bukfast de ptito quare ipe injuste T; sine judicio
levavit sex gurgites in Dertyngton Staverton T; Hemmeston
Arondel ad nocumentu libi ten ipius Abfetis in Bukfast T;
Ayshpertofi post p""m 1c Et unde idem Abbas p Thomam
Spyrweye attorn suu die qd ubi idem Abbas hetl here debet
ipeq, T; omes pdecessores sui Abbtes loci pdci a tempe quo non
extat memoria huerunt in villis de Bukfast T; Ayshpertofi in
quadam aqua vocata Derte quendam gurgitem de quo quidem
gurgite pdca aqua de Derte currit usq3 ad pdcas villas de
Dertyngton Staverton Hemmeston Arondel ^t a pdcis villis
usq} ad altum mare extra portum de Dertemouthe de quo
gurgite idem Abbas here debet ipeq3 T; omes pdecessores sui
Abbtes ejusdem loci a tempe cuj9 cont"~rii memoria non existit
huerunt quandam aperturam latitudinis sex pedu in aqua

Elsewhere (in previous Rolls) Cooke,
M

82 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

pdca in medio majoris cursus 1 pfundita? ejusdem aque in
omib} locis I dniis in? pdcas villas de Bukfast T; Ayshperton
1 altu mare extra portu pdcm ex quacumq, pte ubi majore
cursu 1 pfunditat ejusdem aque In alneo suo fore contig'it p
quam quidem apturam salmones trutes peles T: alii pisces
maris natare solebant T: potuerunt ab alto mari extra portu
pdem usq^ ad gurgite ipius Abfetis sup^dcam pdcus Jacobus
levavit pdcos sex gurgites ex t^nsvso ejusdem Aque T: pdce
apture in eadem aqua de Derte in pdcis villis de Dertyngton
Staverton T: Hemmeston Arondel int gurgite ipius Abfctis
pdcm T; altu mare "I portu sup""dcm p quos quidem gurgites
in eisdem villis de Dertyngton Staverton T; Hemmeston
Arondel sic levat aptura pdca est obstructa ita qd: pisces T;c
natare non possunt ab alto mari usq, ad gurgitem ipius Abbtis
pdcm sicut solebant p quod ubi ipe Abbas solebat T: potuit
cape pisces in gurgite suo pdco ad valenciam quadraginta
library p annu ante levacoem't obstruccoem sup""dcasT; modo
non potest cape pisces nisi ad valeiic decem solido^ p annu
et sic ad nocumentu etc. unde die qd deter est T: dampnu net
ad valenc mille librax Et inde pduc sectam etc.

Et pdcus Jacobus p Johem Bozoun at? suu ven Et pet
indo visu fteat T: Dies datus est eis hie a die sci Micfais in xv
dies p Justic Et inrim T;c.

De Banco Roll, Trinity,

Eic. II. m. 210.

119. In 1377 a brief somewhat similar to the one before
mentioned (par. 115) from the King and his Council, is
directed amon others to the Abbot of Buckfast.

DE MORA FACIENDA, SUPER INVASIONE GALLICORUM.

A.D. 1377. ) Rex venerabili in Christo patri Th. eadem

' gratia episcopo Exonise, salutem. Quia

Rot. Glaus. i pro certo intelleximus quod inimici nostri

in Turr! ILon™ S $ Francise, et alii sibi adhaarentes, magnam
multttudinem navium gallarum, et barge-
arum, cum homnibus ad arma et armatis, congregarunt, et
infra regnum nostrum Angliae, ad citius quo poterunt, ap-
plicare, et nos, et dictum regnum nostrum, ac totam linguam
Anglicanam destruere et delere proponunt, nisi eorum
malitiae manu forti resistatur :

Nos volentes hujusmodi dampnis et periculis, quaa nobis et
dicto regno iiostro, ex subitis dictorum inimicorum nostrorum
aggressibus evenire possent prsecavere, vobis, districtius quo

BCCKFAST ABBEY. 83

poterimus, firmiter injungendo mandamus, quod vos, cum omni
festinatione, ad terras et tenementa vestra, villaa de Dert-
mouth propinquius adjacentia, personaliter divertatis, ibidem,
cum hominibus vestris, et tota familia vestra, fortiori modo
quo poteritis, super defensione villaa praedictae, et partium
adjacentium, contra hostiles agressus, continue moraturi.

Et homines et tenentes vestros ibidem, videlicet, quemlibet
eorum juxta statum et facultates suos, arraiari, et moram
continuam ibidem, fortiori modo quo poterunt, hujusmodi
periculis iminentibus", facere, et ipsos ad hoc celeriter facien-
dum, per districtiones bonorum et catallorum suorum, et alios
vias et modos quibus poteritis, compelli et distringi faciatis
indilate ; et hoc, sub periculo quod incumbit, nullatenus
omittatis.

Teste Rege, apud West'm xiv die Maii. Per ipsum
Regem et consilium. (Rymer's Foedera, vol. iii., part 2,
p. 1078, ed. 1830.

120. In the following extract, 1378, the abbot seeks to
.recover from John Suddon and Margaret his wife a mes-
suage and land in Petrockstowe, which Robert Goding held
of William Giffard, the former abbot, and which the then
abbot claimed, as reverting to the Abbey on the death of
Goding.

Robtus Abbas de Bukfast petit vsus Johem Suddon 7 j)evon
Margiam uxem ejus unu ferlingu rre 7 tres acras pti cu ptin
in Petrokystowe que Robtus Godyng9 tenuit de Wifto memb. 289 d.
Giifard nup Abbe de Bukfast pdecessore nunc Abbis et que
ad ipm nunc Abbem revti debent tanq"~m escaeta sua eo qd
pdcus Robtus Godyng5 obiit sine her ?c. Et unde idem Abbas
p Thoma Spirwey att suu dicit qd pdcus Robtus Godyng2
fuit seit5 de ten pacis cu ptin in ctnico suo ut de feodo 7 Jure
tempe pacis tempe dni E nup Reg Angt Avi dni Regf nunc
capiend hide explec ad valenc ?c. 7 ea tenuit de pdco Wifto
pdco 7c. p homag 7 fidelit 7 scutagiu dni Regf cu accederit
ad quadraginta solidos decem solid qn ad plus plus qn ad
minus minus 7c. 7 p svicia sex solidoa p annu ad quatuor
anni rmios principales solvend, videit ad festa sci Michis
Natal Dni Pasch 7 Natal sci Johis Bapt de quib) sviciis idem
pdecessor 7c., fiiit seit9 ut in jure ecctie sue see Marie de
Bukfast [blank] p manus pdci Robti Godyng ut p manus
veri tenentis sui vidett de pdcis homag 7 fidelit ut de feodo 7
Jur 7 de pdco redditu in dfiico suo ut de feod o 7 Jure Et que
ad pdcm nunc Abbem reverti debent tanq^m eschaeta sua eo

M2

84 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

qd etc. Et inde pducit secta etc. Et pdci Johes 7 Margeria
p Johem Copleston aft suu vefi Et defend Jus suu quando
etc. Et dicunt qd ipi nichil hent in ten pdcis nisi ex
dimissione Johis Hopere ad vita ipos Johis Suddon 7
Margie tantu rev'sione inde ad pdcm Johem Hopere 7 her
suos spectante sine quo non possunt pdco Afcbi inde res-
pondere 7 petunt auxiliu de ipo Johe Hopere heant eu
hie in Crastino sci Martini etc. Idem dies dat9 est pdeis
ptib} p attorn suos pdcos hie 7c. ad que diem pdcus Johes
Hoper sum fecit se esson de malo veniend v'sus pdcm
Abfoem 7 de pdco piito et huit inde die p Esson suu hie ad
hunc die sciit a die Pasche in tres sepfias extunc px seqn
put patet roflo Esson sexto Idem dies dat9 fuit ptib} pdcis
hie 7c. Et modo ad hunc die vefi tarn ptes pdce p attorn
suos pdcos q""m pdcus Johes Hoper p Johem Copleston
attorn suu vefi Et idem Johes Hoper se jungit pdcis Johi
Suddon 7 Margie in respondend vsus pdcm Abfcem de pdco
piito etc. [Hereupon a day was given to the parties, as well
ye Abbot as John Suddon or Margery and John Hoper, now
joined, from Michaelmas to fifteen days ; at which day come
the parties aforesaid from Hilary to fifteen days ; at which
day come the parties aforesaid from Trinity to fifteen days ;
at which day come the parties aforesaid to the morrow of St.
Martin; at which day come the parties aforesaid from
Easter to three weeks] in statu quo nunc salvis ptib} etc.

De Banco Roll, Trinity, 1 and 2 Ric. II.

Here, too, the termination of the case does not appear on
the Rolls. For some reason or other it would seem to have
been dropped, a compromise being effected, or one of the
parties not being sure of his success, allowing the other to
take or retain possession of the land in dispute.

122. The next extract I have during Abbot Simon s time
relates to his claim against Walter Rosere and William
Buriman, whom he charged with carrying off his villeins,
Christina Barry and John Barry, of Downe St. Mary, and

the abbot claimed that he was injured to the extent of 20£.
Devon.

m 175d Abbas de Bukfast p Johem Lacche aff suu op se iiijto die
vsus Wal?um Rosere 7 Wiftm Buriman de piito quare vi 7
armis Cristina Barry 7 Joham Barry nativas ipius Afebis in
slvico suo apud Seyntemarydoune existentes cepunt 7 abdux-
erunt p quod idem Abbas sviciu nativas sua& pdcas p
magnu tempus amisit 7 alia enorma 7c. ad dampnu ipius

BUCK FAST ABBEY. 85

Abbis viginti libra^ 7 con"" pace dni E' nup Regis Angi
avi *?c. Et ipi non ven Et pc fuit vie qd capet eos Et vie
nichil inde fecit nee bfe misit. I'o sicut prius capianf qd sint
hie a die sci Michis in xv dies p Justic.

De Banco Roll, 8 Rich. II. Trinity [1384].

123. In the next, of the date 1393, the abbot is the defen-
dant, being called upon by William Beaumont to deliver to
him a box, with writings and documents in it. It appears
that the box, with its contents sealed up, was handed by John
Beaumont the father of the claimant in his lifetime to John
Warre, Episcopus Curnogensi, [? Le Mans] and that on the
death of John Beaumont the same should have been handed
to the son. And afterwards the bishop died at the Abbey of
Buckfast, and the box with its contents came into the posses-
sion of the abbot, who would not give it up, by which William,
the heir of John Beaumont, was much injured, and claimed
redress and satisfaction. The bishop appeared by his attorney
John Lack, to whom he must have been a good client,
admitted having the box, and in effect stated that he was
only desirous of doing what was right with it. He produced
it in open court, and said that he had received it from the
deceased bishop to take care of; that there was another
claimant for the box, a certain John Brightricheston, and
which was the right owner he did not know ; and asked that
John Brightricheston might be protected. The court thought
it necessary under these circumstances to give John an oppor-
tunity of proving his right, and a day was fixed for him to
appear. On the day named he did not come, and eventually
the box with the deeds and muniments were handed over to
the first claimant, the plaintiff William Beaumont. Here we
have, among other interesting matter, the apparent fact that
an Englishman was a bishop of a foreign see, if Le Mans is
meant, and that he died, and was probably buried, at Buck-
fast Abbey.

Following this are three other extracts from the same roll,
relating to litigation initiated by the abbot in respect of tres-
pass committed on the abbey lands.

Robtus Abbas de Bukfestrie sum fuit ad respondend Wifto Devon.
Beaumount de piito qd reddat ei quandam-pixidem cu cartis
scriptis 7 aliis munimentis in eadem pixide contentis quam ei
iniuste detinet ?c. Et vnde idem Witts p Thomam Hertescote
attorn suu die qd cu quidam Johes Beaumount pa? ipius
Wifti cuius her ipe est die lune px post fm §ci And? apli anno

86 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

regnoip dm Regis nunc quarto apud Exon libasset cuidam
Johi Warre Epo Cumogensi* pixidem pdcam sigillatam cum
cartis scriptis T; alijs munimentis eta tras T; ten que eidem
Wifto post mortem pdci Johis Jure hereditar descenderunt
tangencia in eadem pixide contentis salvo custodiend et eidem
Johi vel her suis cu inde requisitus fuisset reliband Ac
postmodum pdcus Epus in Abbia Bukfesrie pbijt post cuius
mortem pixis pdca cu cartis etc. ad mamis p'dci Abbis deve-
nerunt. Idem tamen Abbas licet sepius requisitus pixidem
pdcam pdco Johi Beaumount in vita sua nee eciam eidem
Wifto fit T; her pdci Johis Beaumount nondu libavit set illas
ei hucusq} libare cont"~dixit T; adhuc cont%licit vnde die qd
derioratus est T; dampnum het ad valenciam centu librajp.
Et inde pduc sectam T;c. -

Et pdcus Abbas rj^Johem Lacche attorn suu veri Et pfert
hie in cur pixidem p/dcam cu cartis "?c. patam ad reddend cui
cur Regis hie consideravit die qd pixis ilia cu cartis 7c. p
^fatu Epm eidem Abbi libatu fuit salvo custodiend et cui de
Jure libari debet deliband Et die qd quidam Johes
Brightricheston clam pixidem pdcam cu cartis 7c. eidem
Johi Brightricheston de Jure libari debe set an pixis pdca cu
cartis *?c. pdco Johi Brightricheston an pfato Wifto de Jure
libari debeat nee lie die qd ipe oinio ignorat Et pet qd
pdcus Johes Brightricheston pmuniatur 7c. I'o prec est vie
qd JP pbos 7c. scire fac pfato Johi Brightricheston qd ^ sit hie
in Octab sci Michis ostens si quid p se heat vel dice sciat
quare pixis pdca cu cartis 7c. pVato Wifto libari non debeat
si Ifc. Idem dies datus est ptib} pdcis hie 7c. Ad quern
diem ven tam pdcus Wiftus qam pdcus Abbas p attorn suos
pdcos Et pdcus Johes Brightricheston iiif0 die piiti
solempniter exactus noil ven Et vie modo mand qd scire
fecit eidem Johi Brightricheston essend hie ad hunc diem
ostenS in forma pdca p Nichm More Johem Toune T; Robm
Feryby I'o con§ est qd pdcus Wirlus heat libacoem pixidis
pdce cum cartis etc. extra possessione pdci Abbis Et sup hoc
pdcus Abbas pfert hie in cur pdcam pixide cum cartis ?c.
parata ad reddend pfato Wifto quequidem pixis cu cartis
etc. pfato Witto hie in cur liberat"" I'o idem abbas de eadem
pixide cu cartis *?c. exoSet"' ?c. — De Banco Roll, 17 Rich.
II. Trinity.

Devon. Robtus Abbas de Bukfast T; frater Edwardus Stele T; frater

memb. 176 d. Henr Haredori T; frater Robtus Asshe T: frater Stephus

* ? for le Mans in France.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 87

Roulande comonacos eiusdem Abbis *? Ricus Eoke in ihia p
plur defalt.

Dies dat9 est Johanne que fuit p\9 Johis Jaycok quer p
Johem Jaycok attorn suu Et pdcis Abbi Edwardo Henr
Robte Stepho 7 Rico p Johem Lacche attorn suu de plito
tansgr hie in Octab sci Hillar pcepcium sine essofi etc ad que
die ven ptes pdce 7c. Et sup hoc dies datus est eis hie a die
Pasche in tres septias pee pciu sine esson 7c.

Mem.— On this Roll (230 d.) Robert, Abbot of B. v.
" Joham que fuit vxor Johis Jaycok" who " clausa fregit"
and cut down the abbot's trees, depastured lands, &c. She
does not come. Sheriff ordered to distrain her through all,
&c., and have her body here from Hilary to fifteen days. No
writ. Order for Easter as before. — Ibid. 1 8 Rich. II. Mich.

The next two extracts refer, one to a defaulting bailiff of
the Abbey at Battochsburgh, who was not to be found, and
the second, to a claim for the recovery of land and houses at
Buckfastleigh.

Robtus Abbas de Bukfast p Johem Lacche attorn suum op' Devon',
se iiijto die vsus Johem Weryng de South lodebroke de plito
qd reddat ei ronabilem compotu suu de tempe quo fuit ballivus
suus in Battokysburgh 7 receptor denariox ipius Abbis Et
ipe non ven Et pcept fuit vie qd capet eu Et vie modo mand
qd non est in ven? ?c. I'o pcepl est vie qd capiat eu si 7c. Et
salvo 7c. Ita qd heat corpus eius hie in Octabis sci Hillar ?c.
— De Banco Roll, 18 Rich. II. Mich. m. 250.

Abbas de Bukfast p Johem Lacche attorn suu pet vsus Devon'.
Johnam Jaycok 1 Wal?um Deghere vnu toftum cum ptifi in
Bukfastlegh Et v'sus Johnam que fuit vxor Johis Jaycok
septem mesuag duas acr tre T: vnam acr pati et dimid cum
ptifi in eadem villa Et vWs Waltum Deghere de Bukfastlegh
duo mesuag vnam acr ?re T; dimid T; vnam acr pati cum ptin
in eadem villa vt Jus T;c. p bre Regis de forma donacois Ic.
Et pdci Johna Jaycok Wal?us Deghere Johna que fuit vxor
Johis Jaycok T; Wal?us Deghere de Bukfastlegh p Johem
Jaycok attorn suu ven Et sepatim petunt inde visum heant
1c. dies dat est eis hie a die Pasche in quinqj septimanus Et
in?im ^c.—lbid. m. 333 d.

124. I have not been able to find any account of the case
referred to by Dr. Oliver which he calls the valuable cause of
the fishery of the River Dart at Buckfastleigh against the
Dean and Chapter at Exeter, but only a short reference to it.

88 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

In Hilary term, 1376, a verdict having already been given
in favour of the Abbey, apparently at the assizes, the matter
came before the Court of Common Pleas on demurrer. Davy,
one of the defendants, had never once appeared. The words
showing the finding are " Sur que quant a les auters " [Davy
not having appeared] " qui averont pled' al enquest trove fuit
p' nisi prius que le Dean & le Chapitre n'averont reens en le
frank tenement, & auxi 1'abbot n'avera abatu le Gorce pen-
dant le bre, coe."

125. While hunting for the Dart case another important
fishery case turned up, which is very fully set out in the De
Banco Roll. It is too long to produce at length, but a friend
who has helped me *in transcribing documents for the
purposes of this paper has prepared a full abstract of the
proceedings. The dispute arose as to the right of fishery in
the Brent River, the Avon, and the action was brought by
the abbot, still Robert Simons, against Richard Knight,
Vicar of Brent, and others. The case was tried, apparently,
at Exeter, when a verdict was given in favour of the abbot.
There was an appeal, and the verdict was reversed on technical
grounds. I have given the judgment and some other parts
of the proceedings as they appear on the Roll.

The King (Richard II.) issued a Writ of Mandamus to
Walter Clopton and the Justices of the King's Bench, dated
at Westm., 8 June, 22 R. 2 (1399) ; whereby he directed that
Buckfast. the record and process relating to a plea of trespass between
Robert, late Abbot of Buckfast, and Robert Knyght, Vicar
of the Church of Brent, John Beare [and others as herein-
after], &c., being seen by them, a manifest error committed
(as alleged) by the Justices of Common Pleas should be cor-
rected. The Record and process mention in the said writ as
follows : —

Attorn recep? apud Westm coram * * * Justic Drii
Reg de coi Banco de tmio Hillar Anno regni Reg Rici scdi
quartodecimo.

Devon'. Robtus Knyght vicar ecctie de Brente Johes ffox Johes
Beare Wilts ffenford: Wilts Pitman Wilts Langedon Johes
Langedon Walrus Schaghe 1 Thomas Schaghe po lo suo
Thomam Reymound vel Thomam Noreys vsus Rofctm abftem
de Bukfas? de plito t"~nsgr.

Ptita apud Westm coram Robto de Cherlton "I soc suis
Justic Drii Regis de Banco de T slmio see Trinitatis anno regni
Reg Rici scdi quintodecimo. Ro. cccvj.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 89

Robtus Knyght vicar ecctie de Brente Johes ffox Johes Devon'

Beare Witts ffenford Witts Pitman Johes Langedon i Wal?us

Schage attach fuerunt ad respondent! Robto Abbti de Bukfast

de ptito quare ipi cu Witto Langedon ? Jone Shaghe vi t

armis claus ipius Abbis apud Brenta freg'unt •? arbores suas

ibm nup crescentes succiderunt t in sepali piscar sua ibm

piscati fuerunt i piscem inde ac arbores pctcas necnon alia

bona i catalla sua ad valenc viginti librae ac quingentos

cuniclos suos pcij centum solidoa ibm inventa ceperunt et

asportaverunt i blada •? herbam suam ad valenc centu solidoa

ibm nup crescencia cum quibusdam averijs depasti fuerunt

conculcaverunt i consumpserunt i alta enormia ei intulerunt

ad grave Dampnum ipsius Abbis i cont"" pacem Regis Et

vnde idem Abbas p Johem Lacche attorn suu querit qd pdci

Robtus Knyght Johes t Johes Writts Witts Johes t Walttas

sifnl etc. die Jovis px post festu oim sco^ anno regnox dni

Reg nunc nono vi t armis sciit glad archuba f sagittis claus

ipius Abbis apud Brenta fregunt t arbores suas vidett quadra-

ginta quercus viginti fraxinos decem ulnos decem tremulos ?

viginti fabos ibm nup crescentes succiderunt K in sepali

piscaria sua ibm piscati fuerunt ? piscem inde vidett quadra-

ginta salmones lupos aquaticos percheas tencheas anguillas i

pelos ac arbores pdtcas necnon alia bona i catalla sua videit

pannos lineos t laneos ad valenc viginti librax ac quingentos

cuniclos suos pcij centum solido^ ibm inventos ceperunt i

asportaverunt i blada vidett frumentu ordeu fabas pisas t

avenas i herbam suam ad valenc etc. ibm nup crescenc cu

quibusd avijs vidett equis bob} vaccis affris bidentibus i

porcis depasti fuerunt conculaverunt =* consumpserunt t^nsgr

pdcam quoad succisionem arbo^ piscacoem ? depastu bladox

i herbe p duos annos tune px seqn diversis vicibus continu-

andi et alia enormia etc. Et cont"' pacem etc. vnde die qd

deter est i dampnu net ad valenc centu libra^ i inde pduc

sectam etc. Et f>dci Robtus Knyght Johes ffox Johes Beare

Witts ffenford Witts Pitman Johes Langedon i Walrus p

Thomam Norreys Attorn suu ven 1 defend: vim i iniur quando

etc. Et quo ad venire vi i armis necnon fraccoem clausi

succisione arbo& ac asportacoem bonoi t catalloi die qd ipi in

nullo sunt inde culpables et de hoc pon se sup p'riam Et

pdcus Abbas simitr. Et eciam pdcus Johes ffox i ofhes alij

p^t1 pdcm Robtm Knight quoad capcoem cuniclo^ die sili? qd

ipi in nullo sunt inde culpables Et eciam idm Robtus Knight

quoad depastu bladox t herbe pdco^ die q.d ipe in nullo est

inde culpabit Et inde sepatim pon se sup priam Et pdcus

Abbas simili? et quoad piscacoem etc. pfatus Robtus Knyght

90 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

die qd quidam Witts Gybbe circa fm Oi'm sco^ Anno regno^
dni Regis nunc sexto cepit de pfato Abbe ad vsu ipius Robti
t pdci Witti Gybbe ac quondam Johis Erode t Witti ffylyp
piscariam pdcam tenend ad voluntatera ic. ad piscand in
eadm p voluntate sua. Et die qd idm Eobtus occupavit
piscariam pdcam ? in eadm pisca? fuit absq3 hoc qd ipe
aliquo alio tempe in eadm piscaria pisca? fuit et pdcus Johes
ffox i omes alij defend die qd ipi vener in auxiliu ipius Robti
ad piscand in piscaria pdca pdcis Annis sexto t septimo absq3
hoc qd ipe [aliquo] alio tempe in eadm piscar piscat fuerunt
Et hoc pati sunt sepatim vrificare vnde singillatim non intend
aliquam Iniur in psonis suis ea de causa assignari posse ^c.
Et quo ad capcoem cunicloa etc. Robtus Knyght die qd ipe
fuit capettus pdci Abbis ? cu eodm Abbe comorabat"" t p
pceptu jJdci Abbis Annis regnox dni Regis nunc scdo t rcio
cepit duos cuniclos ad vsu eiusdm Abbis ibm t eos eidm Abbi
afterebat % libavit absq3 hoc qd ipe aliquo modo aliquos
cuniclos ibm cepit Et hoc patus est vificare vnde non intend
aliquam iniur in hac pte in psona sua assignari posse "?c. Et
pdcus Joties ffox •* omes alij defendentes f)? pdcm Robtm
Knyght quo ad depastu blado^ t nbe etc. die qd divsis vicib}
p tempus in narracoe pdcis Abbis content div*sa a$ia sua in
bladis t herba pdci Abbis capta t impcata fuerunt t in divsis
cur eiusdm Abbis p idm tempus ibm p t"~nsgr illis que sunt
eadm t"~nsgr vnde idm Abbas querit"' amciati t afforati fue-
runt t amciamenta ilia eidm Abbi de tempe in tempus sepatim
solverunt °t sic die qd pdco Abbi p dampno p ipos in bladis 1
herba eiusdm Abbis vnde idm Abbas modo querit"' in forma
pdca satisfcm existit vnde non intend qd ipi occone ilia itum
molestari seu gavari debeant ete. Et pdcus Abbas die qd pdci
Robtus Knyght Johes ffox Joties Beare Witts ffenford Witts
Pitman Johes Langeton i Walrus vi t armis 1 de iniur sua
ppria p tempus in narracoe eiusdm Abbis content in sepali
piscar ipius Abbis apud Brente piscati fuerunt 1 piscem inde
ceperunt i asportaver cont"" pacem Reg put p querelam ipius
Abbis supponit"" Et hoc pe? qd inquirat"" p priam. Et pdcus
Robtus Knyght •? ofnes alij defendentes qui modo comp'arent
sili? Et eciam idm Abbas die qd Robtus Knyght p tempus
in narracoe ipius Abbis specificat vi t armis <? de iniur sua
ppria •? cont"~ pacem Reg cepit quingentos cuniclos suos ibm
put idem Abbas querit"' Et hoc simili? pet qd inquirat"" p
priam Et pdcus Robtus Knyght simiir Et quo ad depastu
blado^ t herbe pdco^ idm Abbas die qd pdci Johes fFox Johes
Beare Witts ffenford Witts Pitman Johes Langedon ? WalVus
blada i herbam sua pdca p tempus in narracoe eiusdm Abbis

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 91

content depast filer cont"~ pacem Reg absq} hoc qd ijdm
Johes ffox Johes Beare Witts ffenford Witts Pitman Johes
Langedon •* Wal?us p t"~nsgr illis amciati t afferati fuerunt
vel eidm Abfci inde p eisdm t^nsgr satisfecerunt Et hoc pet
qd inquirat"" p priam Et pdci Johes ffox Johes Beare Witts
tfenford Witts Pitman Johes Langedon •* Walrus silit1. I'o pf
est vie qd venire fac hie a die sci Michis in xv dies xij etc.
p quos etc. et qui nee etc. Ad recogn etc. Quia tarn etc.

Afterwards the jury being placed in respite at York from
Michmasday to three weeks 16 R. II. unless the justices, &c.
come before to Exeter, &.c. Afterwards on the day and at
the place before Win. Rykhill and Wm. Brenchell Justices
assigned &c. in Co. Devon, come as well Robt Abbot of B as
Robt Knyght, John Fox, John Beare, Wm. Fenford, Wm.
Pitman, John Langedon, and Walt. Shaghe by yeir att. And
likewise the Jurors who &c. say on their oath That ye sd John
Fox, Wm. P. and John L. are not guilty of the trespass men-
tioned. And that the sd Robt. K. John B. Wm. F. and
Walter Shaghe as to breaking the close, cutting down and
carrying away 12 oak trees are guilty; and as to cutting down
and carrying away the residue of ye trees mentd, also taking
and carrS away the goods and chattels mentd they say that sd
Rofct K. John B. Wm. F. and Walter S. are not" guilty ;
and as to fishing in ye sev1 fishery of ye Abbot and taking
fish, that the sd Robt. John, Wm. and Walt, with force and
arms for the time contained in the Abbot's description fished
at Brent and took and carried away 30 salmon as complained
by the abbot ; and as to taking the remaining fish mentioned
that they (R. J. W. and W.) are not guilty; and as to ye
taking of the rabbits, except twenty of them, that ye sd Robt
John, Wm. and Walt, are not guilty ; as to the 20 rabbits,
they took and carried them away as compld by ye abbot ; and
as to the depasture that sd Robt Knyght is guilty, and the sd
John Beare, Wm. Fenford and Walter Shaghe also depastured,
&c. and they were not amerced, &c. And they assess the
damages of the sd abbot on ace* of ye sd trespasses at Ten
Pounds So it is consd y* ye sd abbot shd recover agst ye said
Robt. John, Wm. and Walter his sd damages assessed at lOt.
and ye sd K. J. W. and W. be taken And ye sd abbot in
mercy for his false claim agst John Fox, Wm. Pitman, and
John Langedon who are acquitted of ye sd trespasses. And
hereupon sd abbot confesses " se nolle ulterius prosequi " ag8'
Wm. Langedon and John Shaghe of plea aforesd. So ye sd
abbot may have exon, &c.

Afterwds viz. in octaves of S. Hil. 1 6 R. II. Robt Knyght,

2N

92 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

present here in Court, is committed to Flete prison (goale de
fflete) there to remain until &c.

The abbot by his sd atty offered himself on the 4th day v. sd
Wm. Langedon and John Shaghe And they do not come
And the sheriff is ordered &c. The sheriff has not sent ye
writ Adjourned to Trinity Term then to be at York on ye
morrow of S. John Bapt. At wch day no writ from ye sheriff.
To be at York in the octave of S. Michael &c.

(Pleas at Westm. de Banco Mich 15 R. II.)

Robt. Abbot of B. pit. v. Robt. Knyght vicar of ch. of
Brente, John Fox. John Beare, Wm. Fenford, Wm. Pitman,
John Langedon and Walter Shage of a plea of trespass. Jury
in respite. Adjourned to Hil. term when (no writ from ye
sheriff) Jury in respite to Trin.* 16 R. II. Again respited to
Michmas unless before &c. Jury to be before ye K.'s Justices
at York &c.

Afterwards, i.e. in Mich term 1 Hen. IV. before ye King
himself at Westm. at the suit of sd Robt Knight, John Beare,
Wm. Fenford and Walter appearing in person and ascertain-
ing there was error in the record and process aforesd and in
the delivery of the judgment aforesaid and because sd Rofet
late abbot praying for a writ to summon Wm. now abbot of
Bukfast to be before the King to hear sd record and process.
So the sheriff is ordered to let Wm. know, &c. The same
day is given to sd Robt. J. Wm. and Walt. At wch day come
before the King at Westm sd R. J. W. and W. in person,
and the sheriff returns that he let Wm. now abbot know that'
he was to be at Westm. to hear &c. as required by ye K's
writ by " Wiftm Lamelan, Wiftm Hamstede, Jonem Coke *?
Ricm More," &c. Which said Wm. now abbot, tho' warned
and solemnly called on the fourth day, does not come.
Hereupon ye sd Robt. John, Wm. and Walter say that in the
record and process and delivery of judgment there are divers
errors, viz. : —

That whereas the sd Robt late abbot prosecuted a writ of
trespass agst ye sd Robt. Knyght and other def* before ye sd
justices etc. and ye sd defts by Thos. Norreys yeir attorney
wch said writ was quashed namely in Hilary Term 14 R. II. ;
and long afterwds i.e. 12 April 14 R. II. the sd late abbot
obtained that writ agst ye defts in wch Thos. Norreys as the
attorney of ye defts (as contained in the said recd and proc.)
whereas ye sd Thos. had no warrant in that second writ " de

* Robert (abbot) " po. lo. suo Joh'm Laccbc " in this Term.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 93

quo totu pcessu pdcm warrantizat"" ;" and so in this, that the
sd justices proceeded upon the said plea without any def'1
appearing in his own pson or by atty have erred And by
writ as well Wm. Thirnyng Ch. Justice de Coi Banco as
Wm. Pountfreit keeper of the K's writs de Banco '•' ad
certiorand etc." whether ye sd Robt. John, Wm. and Walter
made any atty in the plea aforesaid, etc. The s(1 Wm.
Thirnyng to search the Rolls and the sd Keeper to examine
the writs of the terms and years aforesd and to certify w*out
delay. Afterwds 30 Jafiy in that same term Wm. Thirnyng
certified that the Rolls of ye sd terms and years had been
examined ; and no attorney can be found of record in ye
same. And ye sd keeper certified that he had no Writ of Atty
for the terms and years abovesd, and that the date of ye orig1
Writ in the dispute aforesd is 12 April 14 R. II. And ye sd
Robt. John, Wm. and Walter say, that there is manifest error
as appears by ye sd certificates. And in this, that whereas the
sd Rofet. late abbot supposed that they depastured at Brent,
and they, the defts, alleged that they were diverse times
amerced and satisfied the abbot of those amercemts, and ye sd
abb* alleged that they were not amerced, &c. Afterwds the
Justices by Writ of Nisi Prius inquired if John Fox, Wm.
Pytman and John Langecon were guilty of the sd trespasses
or not, whereas ye sd Jces ought to have inquired if ye sd
John, Wm. and John were amerced and satisfied the abbot
for said trespasses or not. And, because the Justices inqd if
they were guilty or not of y* trespasses which the defts
acknowledged, they erred. Also there is error in this, that
whereas John Shaghe came not in his own person or by
att? and never pleaded, nevertheless ye Justices inquired if
he were guilty or not of the sd trespasses, they erred. Also
in this, that whereas Walter Shaghe sd that he was not guilty
of taking ye sd rabbits (conies) as alleged by ye abbot, the
Justices did not inquire whether he was guilty or not, they
erred. Also in this, that whereas ye sd abbot supposed that
sd Robt Knyght and other def*8 fished in his several fishery
at Brent and took fish, etc. the sd Robt K. sd y* about ye Feast
of All Saints 6. R II. one Wm. Gibbe took from the abbot to
the use of the sd Robt and others ye fishery aforesaid as tenant
at will, etc. and said y* said Robt occupied the sd fishery and
fished there : to wch plea yj5 sd abbot made no answer but
maintained his writ, and ye sd Justices inqd as to the justifica-
tion of sd Rofet K. in s^ plea, whereas the abbot made no
answer to the justif n, they erred. Also in this, that whereas
John Fox and other def ts said in yeir plea that they came to

94 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

assist Robt Knyght to fish in the 6th and 7th years, etc.
whereas no mention was made of any seventh year in the
plea and ye sd abbot by accepting that plea and answering
thereto, whereas it is not the plea on which the parties joined
issue (as appears in the Record) which issue the Justices
accepted and inquired upon, they erred. Also in this, that
whereas ye sd abbot supposed that the trespass was done at
Brente, " postea in replicacoe sua idm Abbas manutenuit
dcam t""nsgr fieri apud Brente 1 sic non manutenuit t"~ngr
pdcam fieri in villa in naracoe sua contenta 83 in alia villa et
in hoc qd Justic pcesserunt ad iudm sup tli ptito erraverunt."
And they pray that the said judgment on ace1 of sd errors
and others in the Record and process aforesaid be reversed ;
and that the Court proceed to the exam" of the said Record
and process. Hereupon a day is given to ye said Robt
Knyght and others from Easter to three weeks, at wch day
came ye sd Robt and others in person ; and, the Court not
being ready to deliver judgement, a day is given to sd R. &c.
to be before our Lord ye King wherever, &c. in term of Holy
Judgment. Trinity to hear judgment. Ad quern diem coram dno Rege
apud Westrh ven pdci Robtus Knyght Johes Beare Wiltms
Fenfford T; Wal?us in ppriis psoh suis Et vis T: diligen?
examinatis recordo T; jpcessu pdcis videtr cur qd in hoc qd ubi
pdcus Robtus nup Abbas etc. supposuit p bre T: narr sua
qd pdci Rob Knyght T; alii defendent etc. blada T; herbam sua
cu quibusdam av'iis suis depasti fuerunt apud Brenta etc.
pdci Johes Fox Johes Beare Wiltms Fenfford Wiltms Pitman
Johes Langedon T; Walt Shaghe allegar qd p eisdm tansgr in
Cur ipius nup Abbtis apud Brenta diPsis tempib3 aniciati
T; afforati fuer T; de eisdm amciament eidin nup Abbti
satisfecet ad quod idm nup Abbas ptitando alleg qd pdci
Johes Fox T; alii defend non fuer amciati 1 afforati p eisdm
tansgr nee p eisdm tansgr eidem nup Abbti satisfecer Sup quo
postea cltis die T; loco put continef in recordo qd Justic
adinquir de tansgr pdcis £ bre de Nisi Prius deputat inquisiver
si pdci Johes Fox Wiltms Pitman T; Johes Langedon fuer
culpables de tansgr pdcis vel non ubi pdci Justic inquisivisse
debuissent si pdci Johes Fox Wiltms Pitman T: Johes
Langedon p pdcis tansgr amciati T; afforati fuerunt T; p eisdm
t"~nsgr eidm nup Abbti satisfecer vel non put ipi ptitando
allegar Et in hoc qd Justic inquisiver si ipi fuerunt culpables
de t"~nsgr pdicis vel non ubi ipi p ptitm suu pdcm cogn
tansgr pdcum manifesto est err. I'o cons est qd ob errorem
pdcm t alios in recordo T: pcessu pdcis comptos qd judfh
Jud'm adnull. p'dcm revocetur adnulletr ? peuit9 p nullo heatr Et qd pdci

BTTCKFAST ABBEY. 95

Robt5 Knyght Johes Beare Wilts Fenfford 1 Wa$us reheant
dampna sua pdca si que occone pdca pfato nup. Abfoti aut dco
nunc Abfoti satisfecJint Et qd ipi eant inde sine die etc.
(De Banco Roll, Hilary, 1 Henry IV.)

127. I have failed not only in verifying Dr. Oliver's
authorities in the Dart fishery case, but also in ascertaining
further particulars with reference to the placing of the arms of
James and Thomas Audelay " in the window of the west end
of the Conventual Church and in the window of the gable end
in the Lady Chapel there." Although a careful search has
been made, the entries have not turned up, and they are not
where Dr. Oliver states they are. I much regret this, for I
believe there is some mistake, inasmuch as Cistercian churches
had no Lady Chapel, the whole church being dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin [See Monasticon Cisterciense, cap. xviii.] I
was in hopes also that the document might have contained
some further references to the church, which might have
enabled us to form some idea of its extent and appearance.

128. Robert Simons was evidently an abbot who had the
interest of his house at heart, and did much for its worldly
prosperity. He must have been abbot for upwards of thirty-
five years, and was succeeded in his office by William Paderston,
who was confirmed in September, 1395. He was not abbot
long, and I have not been able to find anything relating to
the abbey in which he was interested, except the Avon fishery
case, which was finally decided in his time, and the following
from the De Banco Roll 3 Henry IV., 1202.

Wm. abbot of Buckfast, Brother Wm. Beagh, and
Brother Richard Gorwet, fellow monks of the said abbot,
and Thomas Baker and Richard Helyere, the abbot's servants,
were attached to answer to Thomas Knight, Vicar of the
Church of Brent, of the plea '' quare vi et armis in ipsum
Robtm apud Brente insultum fecerunt, etc.," and detained
him in prison there until he, Robert, paid 201. for deliverance.
The abbot denied his culpability, and alleged that Robert
had diverted a water-course which ran through his, Robert's,
lands, &c. All parties put themselves on the country, so the
sheriff, to make come twelve, &c., from Michaelmas to
fifteen days.

129. My next document is dated 18th May, 1414, when
the learned William Slade had become abbot. He was a
Devonshire man and educated at Exeter. Proceeding to
Oxford, he acquired a good reputation, and about 1413 be-
came abbot of Buckfast. As far as we know, with the

96 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

exception of the last abbot, he vas the most distinguished
man connected with the house. He was not only a scholar
and a theologian, but an artist, and a spiritual guide to those
over whom he was set, and to the parishioners of the churches
belonging to the Abbey. He made many important additions
to the conventual buildings, and I think it may be concluded
that it is to his exertions that the people of Kingsbridge are
indebted for the Chapel of St. Edmund, king and martyr,
— consecrated by Bishop Stafford, 26th August, 1414, at
which time the cemetery adjoining was also blessed — being
made a parish church.

130. Kingsbridge was in the parish of Churchstow.
Certainly, as early as 1333, 7 Edward III., the manors of
Churchstow and Kingsbridge belonged to the abbey, but how
it became possessed of them is not clear. In 1^91, when
the Survey for the Taxatio of Pope Nicholas was taken,
Churchstow belonged to the Abbey, and, as appears from the
entry paragraph 106, the value is entered at 13s. 4d., the
tenth being Is. 4d. Churchstow is two miles from Kingsbridge,
and, as often happened, a particular part of the parish, as
time passed on, became as important as, or more important
than, the neighbourhood around the mother church ; and
we find from a deed without date, but probably late in
the twelfth century, that provision was required for the
spiritual wants of the people of Kingsbridge. The original
deed is in the possession of the feoffees of the town lands
of Kingsbridge, and a translation will be found in Hawkins's
History of Kingsbridge, p. 122.

" Sciant praesentes et futuri quod ego M. de Litlecumba
Rector Ecclesiae de Chirchstowe concessi Abbati et Monachis
de Bukfest edificare Ecclesiam in honore beati Edmundi Regis
et Martiris in Dominio suo in Villa qua dicta Kingesbrig,
ita quod omnes proventus illius Villas ad Ecclesiam pertinentes
cedant ad Sustentationem unius Capellani qui in prasdicta
Ecclesia Divina celebret imperpetuum, et omnes Homines in
praedicta Villa manentes audiant divinum Servicium in
praedicta Ecclesia Et omnia Ecclesiastica jura ibidem per-
cipiant, ita cum quod Saltern semel in Anno insitent Matrem
Ecclesiam scilicet Chirchstowe videlicet in Assumptions
Beatae Mariae Virginis ut infra octavum oblationibus quibus
infra limites Parochiae prasdicta villa consistet. Verum
propterea Ecclesia de Chirchstowe de loco illo scilicet
Kingesbrig nunquam aliquid percipere consuento et ideo
libere istud concedo quam omnino est sine prejudicio Matris
Ecclesiae et Maximum opus Misericordiae est Divinum in-

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 97

choare servitium quod per omnibus Christi fidelibus unus et
Defunctus Annuente Cristo in loco illo celebrabiter in per-
petuam. Ut aut haec concessio mea firma permaneat huic
praesenti Scripto in Testimonum et Confirmationem Sigillum
meum appono.

131. This deed was the consent of the rector of the mother
church to the erection of a new church, but apparently the
new building was not consecrated for some time after, for the
consecration deed of Bishop Stafford speaks of the chapel
which then and from time immemorial (the scribe did not
trouble himself to make very careful inquiry, or he would
have found that his " time immemorial " would have dwindled
down to very few years) was erected, and magnificently built
by sufficient and lawful authority, that the parish and parish-
ioners were distinct from Churchstow, and that the rector was
obliged to perform all divine services at the chapel for the
people of Kingsbridge, except burial of the dead, which was
accustomed to be done at Churchstow.

132. The chapel received assistance towards maintaining
its independent character. John Cob, Vicar of Hennock,
gave to the chapel of St. Edmund at Kingsbridge, and to the
overseers of the chapel, a tenement and garden near the
cemetery of the chapel. The deed conveying this is dated
23rd April, 1410, more than four years before the consecra-
tion, so that the cemetery although provided was not used.

Noverint universi per presentes me Johannem Cob Vica-
rium Ecclesiae de Heanok remisisse relaxasse et omnino pro
me et haeredibus meis imperpetuum quiesce clamasse Deo et
Capellse Sancte Edmundi Regis et Martiris de Kyngesbrigge
et Hugoni Pocok et Roberto Fayrefot Custodibus instauri
dictae Capellae et successoribus suis Custodibus dictae Capellae
et instauri ejusdem totum jus et clameum quae habeo in uno
tenemento et gardino eidem tenementum adjacente situatis
inter Cimiterium dictae Capellae ex parte australe et tene-
mentum Thome Duer et Johanne uxoris suae Filiae Johannis
Granute ex parte boreali Et ego vero praedictus Johannes et
heredes mei totum praedictum tenementum et totum prae-
dictum gardinum cum pertinentiis praefatis custodibus et
successoribus suis contra omnes gentes warrantizabimus
imperpetuum.

In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus sigillum meum ap-
posui.- Hiis testibus :

98 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Thoma Duer tune prasposito Villse prsedictae.
Johanne Jaycok.
Rogerus Degher.
Johanne Vele.
Willielmo Gormond.
Johanne Torryng.
Johanne Radeville et multis aliis.

Datis apud Kyngesbrygge Vicessimo tertio die Aprilis
Anno Regni regis Henrici Quarti post Conquestum undecimo.

133. A copy of the sentence of consecration is, like the
others to which I have referred, in the custody of the
feoffees of the Kingsbridge Town lands, and a translation
will be found in Hawkins's History of Kingsbridge, p. 123.
Attached are six seals, those of the Bishop, the Archdeacon,
probably, and the Abbot of Buckfast. In the fourth a double
key is to be made out, which shows that it is the seal of the
Prior or Priory of Plympton, the fifth seal is altogether gone,
and the sixth is the seal of the Kingsbridge Feoffees. Entries
relating to the consecration will also be found in Bishop
Stafford's Registers.

134. It is clear therefore that, for the convenience of the
inhabitants of Kingsbridge, the rector of Churchstow, with
the consent of the abbot and convent, promoted the erection
of what we should now call a chapel of ease, which very soon
became or was considered, if not a parish, a district with
certain parochial rights. The dead of Kingsbridge had still
to be brought, as stated in the petition, from the chapel, on the
low ground near the sea, to the church, founded on the summit
of a high mountain, proceeding through a troublesome and
tedious ascent of the said mountain. The rector of Church-
stow had to provide for all the duty, and now Abbot Slade
thought that the time had arrived when the new building
should be consecrated. Kingsbridge was now becoming more
important and required development, which the abbots of
Buckfast as lords of the manor did their best to encourage.

135. William Slade did not devote the whole of his time
to the temporal affairs of his Abbey. He was a student and
author, and Leland has left us a list of his books which re-
mained in the library of the Abbey, which I here give. It
contains also the titles of other manuscripts belonging to the
Abbey. In the middle of this list is the observation as to the
origin of the house to which I have before referred : —

" Ccenobium de Bukfast olim incepit per fratres quos appel-
Idbant Grysceos, delude admisit Bernardinos"

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 99

CATALOGUE OF MANUSCRIPTS IN THE LIBRARY OF BUCKFAST

ABBEY.

Trivet super tragaedias Senecae.

Triveti historia ab initio mundi usque ad nativitatem Christi
ad Hugonum de Engolisma, atchidiacouum Cantuar.

Lectura Blencot super quartum Sententiarum.

Kilwardeby de conscientia et synderesi.

Quaestiones Johannis Button.

Quodlibeta Johannis Button.

Quaestiones Gaynesburg.

Quaestiones Gilberti Segrave.

Quolibeta ejusdem.

Universalia magistri Sharpe super libros Phisicorum.

Qusestiones Gulielmi Slade abbatis de Bukfest de anima.

Quaestiones ejusdem super 4°r • libros Sententiarum Vixit
tempore Ricardi 21.

Beda de nominibus regnorum.

Flores Moralium Gulielmi Slade.

Johannes abbas de Forda de contemporibus Mundi.

Stephanus Cantuar de benedictionibus et maledictionibus
datis in monte Ebal.

Grostest super decem praecepta.

Antiquarii Collectanea, Johannis Lelandi.

Ed. 1770. Vol. iii. (iv.), p. 152.

136. If there was nothing else to show the great mistake
made in dealing with the monasteries as they were dealt with
at the Dissolution, the atrocious way in which the priceless
libraries were dispersed and destroyed would be quite suffi-
cient to convince the most sceptical. Even the fanatical Pro-
testant Bale called the destruction wanton and shameful, and
prophesied that it would be to England a most horrible infamy,
" among the grave senyours of other nacyons."

137. From the Issue .Roll it appears that the Dean and
Chapter of Exeter, with the Abbot of Buckfast and others,
lent moneys to the King, taking care to have security for the
repayment.

18 May. To JohnCopelston, junior, and divers other persons
coming from the county of Devon to London, with a certain
sum of £573 6s. 8d. borrowed from the Dean and Chapter of
the Cathedral Church of Exeter ; the Mayor of the town of
Exeter ; the Abbot of Tavystock ; the Prior of Lanceton ;

2 o

100 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

the Abbot of Bukfast ; Eobert Gary, Prior of Plymton ;
Alexander Chambernoun, Mayor of the town of Plymouth ;
John Bonel and John Copelston. In money paid to the afore-
said John Copelston, junior, and his companions, for the safe
conduct of certain of the King's jewels, valued at .£800,
delivered to the aforesaid persons as security for the said
sums borrowed of them under conditions contained in certain
indentures made between our lord the King and the said
John and his companions, &c. By writ, &c. — £10.

Issue Roll, Easter, 3 Hen. V. 1414.

137. The assent to the consecration of the church at Kings-
bridge must have been one of the latest acts of Slade's life,
for in 1415, Sept. 8th, about twelve months afterwards, Wil-
liam Beaghe or Beagle was confirmed abbot. In the glories
of Agincourt in the following month the Abbey participated,
for William Beaghe contributed one hundred marks towards
the expenses of the expedition.

138. It would seem from the De Banco Roll, 3 Henry IV.
before quoted, par. 128, that William had been a monk of
the house before his election in the time of Abbot Paverston.

139. The first of the three following extracts relates to a de-
faulting collector of some of the revenues ; the second to a
debt due ; and the third to a trespass committed upon some
property of the Abbey at Totnes.

Devon. Abbas de Buckfast in ppria .persona sua op' se iiijto die

versus Johem Torryng de Lostwythyell in com Cornub
mchant de ptito qd reddat ei ronabilem compotu suu de
tempore quo fuit receptor denar ipius Abbis etc. Et ipe no
vefi Et prec fuit vie qd sum eu etc. Et vie modo mand
qd nichil het etc. I'o capiat"" qd sit hie a die see Trinitatis
in xv dies etc. — (De Banco Roll, Easter, 8 Henry V. m. 251.)

Devon. Wifts Abbas de Buckfastre per Attorn suu op' se iiijto die

vWs Johem Johan de Dodbroke in com pdico Milward de
plito qd reddat ei sexaginta T: vndecim solidos T: octo denarios

m. 159 d. quos ei debet T; iniuste detinet etc. Et ipe non ven Et prec
fuit vie qd sum eu etc. Et vie modo mand qd nichil het etc.
I'o capiat"". Ita qd sit hie a die Pasche in tres septimanas
etc.*— (De Banco Roll, Hilary, 8 Henry V. m. 159 d.)

Devon'. Witts Abbas de Bukfast rj attorn suu op' se iiijto die versus

m. 203. Patricu Mark de Tottofi in com jJdco Crokker de ptito quare

* The same debt appears in the Roll Easter, 9 Henry V. [m. 355 d] and
then order made to " have him here " from Trinity to fifteen days.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 101

cu idem abbas in feodo suo apud Toton j> consuetudinib} 1
svicijs sibi debitis quedam catalla p Rofotum Marchant
svientem suu capi fecisset idem Robtus catalla ilia noie
districcois scdm legem T; consuetudinem regui Regis Angt
ibm detinere voluisset pdcus Patricius catalla ilia eidem
Robto vi T; armis abstulit et alia enormia etc. ad gave
dampnu etc. T; cont"~ pacem Regis etc. Et ipe non ven
Et sicut prius prec fuit vie qd capet eu etc. Et vie inodo
mand qd non est inventus etc. I'o sicut plur capiat"". Ita
qd sit hie a die Pasche in tres septimanus etc. — (De Banco
Roll, Hilary, 8 Henry V. m. 203).

140. During this abbot's rule the house had trouble, and six
years after his elevation things had become so bad that it was
found necessary to refer them to William, Abbot of Hayles,
and Brother Michael of Moreton. I have to thank Mr.
Edward Bishop for furnishing me with a transcript of a
notarial instrument published in the chapter-house at Buck-
fast 26 January, 1421. It is a most interesting document,
perhaps more so than any I have been able to include in this
paper.

141. The name of the notary is not given. In it the name
of the abbot is spelt Beagle. Oliver gives his name as Beaghe,
and in the extracts from the De Banco Rolls it is also so spelt.
1 give a free outline of the contents.

After a preamble with the date of the year, the reign of
the Pope, and so on, the document goes on to say that the
abbot, Abbot William of Hayles, Brother Michael of Lang
Benynton, which was originally an English cell of Savigny,
Thomas Roger, Prior of Buckfast, with the whole assembly of
the monastery being present in the chapter- house, the
abbot cf Hayles handed to the notary a paper, praying that
he would read the contents aloud, which he did to the follow-
ing effect.

A subject of discord having arisen between that honourable
man the abbot and the convent, with regard to the govern-
ment of the brethren within and without, which, by the wis-
dom, labour, and zeal of the Abbot of Hayles and Brother
Michael, was settled thus, that the abbot might entertain
according to the ancient and worthy and wonted usage of the
Abbey, might receive his guests and strangers, and that the
servants of the monastery might wait upon them according to
his instructions. That the abbot, being advanced to a con-
siderable age and frequently crippled with bodily disease, was
often broken down with infirmity, so that things which,

102 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

according to the statutes of the order, should be fulfilled in
person, he was unable to fulfil, and the monastery had suffered,
and it was feared would suffer more in future, it was decreed
that the abbot should not interfere in any way except when
required to do so by the prior and brethren, and then that he
should agree to their wishes. That the abbot should not
obtain any privileges or exemptions from Rome, as such
might tend to the curtailment of the statutes and privileges
of the order. That the abbot should receive either Wl. or
40/. [which is uncertain, probably the latter,] per annum,
paid quarterly, for his clothes and necessaries. That when
the abbot was summoned or invited to take part in any cere-
mony, such as the installation of the Bishop of Exeter, the
burial of nobles and others for the advantage of the monastery,
or the honour of the abbot himself, as he was often wont to
do, and as his predecessors were wont to do, the abbot's
expenses were to be borne by the house; and if at any time
he should wish to ride or walk about outside the monastery
for his own recreation, he might go with a proper retinue, but
at his own expense. That if any gifts wrere presented to the
abbot he was to have them and rejoice therein, and reward the
bearers ; but, if he allowed the gifts to go to the common use
of the monastery, the bearers were to be rewarded from the
common chest.

And the notary says that all these things were done as
above written, and that, beside those mentioned at the com-
mencement, there were also present those discreet men John
Carnell, bachelor of law, and Henry Fortescue, clerk of the
said diocese, these having been specially called and sum-
moned ; and piously concludes, And thus peace, faith, hope,
and charity here met together, w^hich the undivided blessed
Trinity abandons in discord, but cherishes in concord. Amen.

There are many errors in the spelling, grammar, &c., but
the sense is apparent, the mistakes are easily corrected,
and I print the document as it staxids.

In Dei Nomine. Amen.

Per presens publicum instrumentum cunctis j 26 Jan-
appereat (sic) evidenter quod Anno ab Incarna- '
cione Dni secundum cursum et computacionem ecclesie
Anglicane millesimo ccccmo vicesimo primo, Indicciones quinta
decima, Pontificatus sanctissimi in Christo Patris et Domini
nostri Domini Martini Divina Providencia Pape quinti Anno
quinto mensis Januarii die xxmo vj° in domo capitulari
Monasterii de Buckfast Ordinis Cisterciensis, Exoniensis

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 103

Diocesis, in mei Notarii Public! et Testium subscriptorum
presencia honorabilibus et religiosis viris Donmis Willielmo
Beagle Abbate ut asserit Monasterii de Buckefast predicti
et Willielmo Abbate Monasterii beate Marie de Hayles
Wigorniensis [Diocesis], Fratre Michaele de Moretoneo
Magistro de Langbinyngton Lincolniensis Diocesis ut asser-
itur, ac Fratre Thoma Roger Priore dicti monasterii de
Buckfast predicti (sic.) [cum] toto Conventio ejusdem Monas-
terii de Buckfast personaliter constitutis ;

Dictus Honorabilis et religiosus Vir Domnus Willielmus
Abbas Monasterii de Hayles assertus (?) mihi notario in-
frascripto Cedulam in papiro scriptam tradi fecit, supplicans
quod eandem cedulum legerem in aperto; quam post ejus
inspeccionem legi ; cujus cedule tenor talis est : —

Nuper exorta materia perturbacionis et discordie inter
honorabilem et religiosum virum Domnum Abbatem Monas-
terii de Buckfast Ordinis Cisterciensis Exoniensis Diocesis et
suum Conventum ibidem de et super regimine et gubernacione
Spiritualium et Temporalium dicti Monasterii infra et extra,
ceterisque causis, punctis et articulis aliis, que omnia et sin-
gula in presenti lorigum esset en arrare ; Deo tamen annuente
qui est pacis Auctor, discrecione, labore, et industria reverendi
in Christo Patris et Domini Domni Willielmi Dei gracia
Abbatis Monasterii beate Maria de Haylez Wygorniensis
Diocesis, et religiosi viri fratris Mychaelis de Moretones
Magistro de Langbinyngton Lincolniensis Diocesis, Ordinis
antedicti, ad visitandum Monasterium de Buckfast in capite
et in membris legitime deputatorum, dicta materia sedata est
et quievit per visitatores predictos in hunc modum : —

In primis quod dictus honorabilis et religiosus vir Domnus'
Willielmus Abbas antedictus secundum antiquum, honestum
et solitum usum dicti Monasterii de Buckfast hospites et
advenas suos cum ad idem monasterium declinaverint juxta
eorum statum bene recipiat, hillaremque vultum eis ostendat,
suis eciam et dicti Monasterii famulis quibuscumque in licitis
et honestis jubeat, precipiat et commoneat quod eisdem inten-
dant in aula, mensa et camera prout sui status honestas debite
exigit et requirit

Item quia dictus Domnus Willielmus abbas prelibatus jam
in matura etate constitutus corporisque invalitudine multi-
pliciter detentus diversis infirmitatibus sepius occupatus [est]
et confractus, quod omnia que in sua persona errent juxta
sui Ordinis statuta adimplenda personaliter nequeat propter
premissa providere nee adimplere, adeo quod dictum monas-
terium dampnum patitur in presenti et plus timendum ei in

104 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

future ; quare consideratum est et decretum quod dictus
Domnus Willielmus Abbas prelibatus nullo modo se intro-
mittat in gubernacione et regimine spiritualium aut tempo-
ralium quorumcumque nisi cum fuerit per Priorem et Con-
ventum suum debite ad hoc requisitus, et tune eorum
voluntati adquiescat in hiis que tangant dicti monasterii
utilitatem et sui status et ordinis exigenciam omnimodo.

Item concordatum et decretum est quod dictus honorabilis
vir et Domnus Willielmus Abbas prelibatus non acquirat per
se aut suos aliqua privilegia exempciones et similia a Curia
Romana que possunt vergi in derogacionem dicti Ordinis
Cisterciensis et statutorum ejusdem ; &, si qua hujusmodi
privilegia habeat, aut habere eum de cetero contingat, quod
eisdem non utatur quovis modo.

Item consideratis considerandis concordatum et decretum
est per visitatores predictos commune consensu pariter et
assensu dictorum Abbatis et Conventus Monasterii de Buck-
fast predicti quod dictus Willielmus Abbas . . . dum Abbas
fuerit percipiet annuatim ad quatuor anni terminos per
equales porciones a dictis Priore et Conventu pro vestura et
aliis necessariis dicti Abbatis x libr.

Item concordatum et decretum est, si contingat dictum
Domnum Willielmum Abbatem extra Monasterium invitari
aut vocari pro dicti Monasterii utilitate, ipsiusve Abbatis
honestate, videlicet ad installacionem Episcopi Exoniensis
loci Diocesani, sepultura et obitio Magnatuum et Prelatorum
ac aliorum generosorum, amicorum et vicinorum, prout sepe
solebat et predecessores sui Abbates solebant, hec omnia
semper fient expensis dicti Monasterii cum contingant.

Item si aliquando dictus domnus Abbas extra dictum
Monasterium pro sui ipsius disporto et voluntate equitare
aut spaciare voluerit, tune decente familia, sed expensis
propriis, ista fient.

Item concordatum est et decretum quod si qua munera,
donaria, bonaque alia quecumque dicto Domno Abbati
offerantur et donentur, eadem habeat et inde gaudeat, dum
tamen contemplacione persone ejusdem hoc fiet ; tune ex
propriis remuneret deportantes prout placet. Et si eadem in
communem usum et dicti Monasterii utilitate convertat, de
com muni thesauro remunerentur.

Et dum nee omnia premissa fideliter observanda hinc et inde
tarn dicti Abbas quam frater Thomas Roger Prior dicti Monas-
terii tactis Dei Evangeliis per eosdem corporaliter prestiterunt.

Acta sunt hec omnia prout suprascribuntur et recitantur
sub anno Domini, Indiccione, Pontificatu, die, mense, et loco

BQCKFAST ABBEY. 105

predictis ; presentibus tune ibidem discretis viris Johanne
Carnell in Legibus Bacallario, et Heurico Fortescu Clerico
dicte Exoniensis Diocesis, testibus ad premissa vocatis speci-
aliter et rogatis.

Et sic pax, fidis, spes, et charitas hie in unum obviarunt,
quas inter discordes concedat, inter Concordes foveat, Trinitas
indivisa. Amen. (MS. Reg. 12, E. xiv., fol. 62-64 recte.)

142. The aged and infirm abbot enjoyed his home and
pension for several years. Let us hope he often walked
abroad with his becoming retinue " pro sui ipsius disporto
spatiari." His successor, Thomas Rogger, was not blessed
until the 13th April, 1432, more than eleven years after the
settlement of the discords detailed by the notary.

143. Of Thomas Rogger and the succeding abbots we
know little more than their names. Rogger was succeeded
by John Ffychet, 16th October, 1440. He was concerned in
legal proceedings with reference to the Erne river, as
appears from the following extracts in Norman French from
the year-book 1441 : —

En Trns Le pi' counta $s PAbbe de Bulkfast de san Trespas.
gort debrus' en Ermingt. If Yelverton. Est un douce eau
courrant en \ dit Ermingt tanq} aP haut mer, qui est appelP
Erine, ou le dit Abbe T; touts ses pdec T:c. out un ouvture de
vj pieds de largeur en chaqu gort en le dit Erine, T, illec taq3
a haut mer de temps, T;c. ou le cours d ce eau plus pfondefnt
court T; disous q le dit gort dont il ad luy complain est [B]
en la dit Ermingt, *\ q c fuit estoppe, T; nous ceo debrusames
accord a nre ouverture avadit. Jug si ace. If Markham. A
ceo disons nous, q le Snr de Hunt long temps devant le
trespas fuit seisi de m le gort en son demain come de fee, T;
nous lessa pur Pme de x ans, le ?me commenc, le. Quel
?me dure unc, T; vous debrusastes in le gort hors de cest lieu
dont vous ave} pie par ij pches pcheiii at tre, sur q nous avos ,
conceu nostr ace. Jug. Et prios q vous soie} atteints.
IT Yelverton. Log temps devat cest leas le Srir de Hun? a
no9 lessa in le gort pur ?me de fir vie, p fore de ql nous
fumes seisis T: debrusames come bn a nous list. H Mark-
ham. De vre tort demefi sans tiet cause. If Newton. Ceo
n'est pie : car si jeo port bre de Trns ^s vous T; vous dies que
le lieu ou, T:c. fuit vre franct (Jug le.) n'e rns pur moy, adire,
De vre tort demen sans tiel cause. Ergo nee hie. Et puis.
If Markham. Way va la pie, T; tra^S le leas a tine de vie. —
(Year-Book De Termiuo Trinitatis, Anno xx. Henrv VI.)

p

106 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

144. It was also about this time perhaps that Richard
Dove, monk and scholar of Buckfast, drew up the statutes of
the house, with the oaths to be taken by the novices, monks,
scholars, and others. They are very interesting, and I am glad
to be able to present them in the appendix to this paper.

145. The following, perhaps about the same date, relates
to land in Brent : —

Hec convencio facta inter f rem Minorerisem Abfcm Buck-

Bukfast. fastre &c> ex una pte et Rieum de Cotelaford ex alta viz.

Brent. " $dict abbas &c. dedere &c. unu ferling t^re in la Ya in

maneio de Brenta qd Robtus de la Ya quond: tenuit &c.

Habend de dicto Rico Cotelaford et Hered &c. In cujus rei

test sigilla sua alternatim apposuer, Hijs Test. Johe de

Boyvile. Wifto de Kilbury, Stepho Stoyll, tune Scenescho

p^dictoru Religiosoru Benedicto le Bon Wifto de Harbenford,

Wifto de la Ford [sans date*] p. 540.— (Brit. Mus. Add.

MSS. 28,649, p. 413.) [Prince's excerpts from Pole's MS.]

From the Assize Roll, temp. Henry VI., we learn that
Gode claimed as his freehold a tenement in Buckfastleigh,
of which the abbot of Buckfast and William Budde and his
wife, and another Budde and his wife, had dis-seized him.
The verdict was against the abbot.

146. John Matthu was confirmed 3 Oct. 1449, and he it
was probably who obtained from the King, — Edward IV.,
surely not Henry VI., as stated in Fox's Kingsbridge, — a grant
of a weekly market, and a fair for three days in the year at
Kingsbridge, and a fair for the same number of days once a
year at Buckfastleigh. The Kingsbridge market and fair still
continue to be held. A copy of the grant is given in the
book just mentioned.f •

147. It has been said that John Bothe, afterwards Bishop
of Exeter, wras Abbot of Buckfast; but, on examining the
events of his life before his consecration as bishop, it would
seem that this could not have been.

148. John Kinge is found as abbot 25 Feb. 1483, and
John Rede 24 Nov. 1498.

149. In the interesting little book entitled " The Parish of
Ashburton in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries," being
extracts from the churchwardens' accounts from 1479 to 1580,
in the year 1499-1500 a receipt of 4s. is credited from a gift
of the Lord Abbot of Buckfast, Saint Clere Pomeroy, Galfrid

* So in MS.

f Kingsbridge and its Surroundings, by S. P. Fox, pp. 34 — 248.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 107

Harepath, and others. I thought at first that this was an
unmentioned abbot of Buckfast, but on consideration I do
not think the entry bears this out. If in the original entry
there is a comma after " the Lord Abbot of Buckfast," it
would I think show that the abbot and Saint Clere Pomeroy
were different persons. Prince says that Edward Pomeroy
and Margaret Beavil his wife had issue Henry, Seinclere, and
John.* Sir William Pole says that Edward Pomeroy died
24 Henry VI. 1445 .f Both Prince and Pole trace the descent
of the elder son Henry, and do not refer to the second and
third; but in the Heralds' Visitation of 1620 we find in the
pedigree of Ford J that St. Cleere Pomeroy was the son ot
John Pomeroy, and that he married, and had issue, in which
case he could not have been the abbot of Buckfast. I believe
this to be the same person as that mentioned in the Ashburton
accounts. Beyond this there is no reference elsewhere, so
far, to a Pomeroy being abbot of Buckfast ; but, if it should
prove to be the case, it will be very interesting to find that a
descendant of its early benefactors was connected with the
Abbey in its latter days.||

150. In the accounts just referred to is another entry,
under date 1512, ijs. for ringing the knell of the late abbot
of Buckfast. This must have been for either Saint Clere
Pomeroy (if he was the abbot) or John Rede, for on Palm
Sunday, 20 April, 1512, Alfred Gille succeeded the deceased
abbot. Gille, after ruling the house for thirteen years, was
succeeded by John Rede, whom Dr. Oliver thought might
have been a nephew of Abbot John Rede before mentioned.
He had a care for the welfare of Kingsbridge and Church-
stow, and readjusted the revenues of the churches. He was
confirmed abbot 13th April, 1525, and lived about twelve
years after. He may be considered the last abbot, for his
successor was foisted upon the monks, and was simply put in
to carry out the designs of the King.

151. Gabriel Donne or Downe was a student in Trinity
Hall, Cambridge, and afterwards a monk of Stratford, a
Cistercian house at West Ham, Middlesex. A suit, followed
by an appeal to Rome, between the abbot and convent and
the vicar William Shragger arose, and on the 7th Feb. 1517,
a " composition real" between the abbot and the vicar was
executed, and " the provident and religious man Gabriel

* Prince's Worthies, p. 645, ed. 1812.
f Pole's Collections, p. 20. J Har. Soc. 1872, p. 108.

|| I have since examined the original entry, and I do not think that it is
any evidence as to Saint Clere Pomeroy having been an abbot of Bnckfast.

p 2

108 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Donne, monk of the Blessed Mary of Stratford, of the Order
of Cistercians " was procter for the brethren.

152. His abilities and zeal soon brought him into more
public notice, and he was employed by Cranmer, More, and
others to assist in the apprehension of Tyndale at Antwerp.
He accompanied Henry Phillips, " a tall, comely, good-looking
young man " travelling as a gentleman, as his counsellor, dis-
guised as a servant. There can be little doubt that he
was the author of the plan which resulted in the capture,
imprisonment, and death of Tyndale. Donne resided for six
months after Tyndale's arrest with Phillips or Buckenham at
Louvain, assisting in preparing the case against Tyndale.
He returned to England in June, 1535, and was shortly after
thrust into the abbey of Buckfast, doubtless as a reward
for his services to the King, the Archbishop, Bishops, and
Cromwell. In June, 1536, he attended the meeting of
Convocation at St. Paul's, and he signs the articles then
promulgated, as " GABRIEL, A bbas de Buckfastria"

153. Within two years of his election he alienated much
of the monastic property, and on the 25th February, i 538, he
betrayed his trust, and surrendered the house with its be-
longings into the hands of the King, and fifteen months
after was rewarded with a large pension ; the Prior of
Plympton alone, among all the head's of religious houses in
this county, receiving so much. This pension of £120, equal
to £1,800 of our money, was enjoyed by him until his death
in 1558. On the 16th March, 1541, he was made Prebendary
of St. Paul's, and three years later Cromwell gave him the
rectory of Stepney " sine cura." Upon Bonner's depriva-
tion in Sept. 1549. Cranmer, according to Strype,* " consti-
tuted Gabriel Donne residentiary of St. Paul's, to be his
official and keeper of the spirituality, and to exercise all
manner of episcopal jurisdiction in the said city and
diocese."

154. Donne died 5th December, 1558. By his will, after
directing payment of his debts and certain legacies, he be-
queathed the residue of his estate to Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
With this residue a scholarship was founded, which continues
to be enjoyed to the present day by the student called " Mr.
G-abriel Donne's scholar." In the chapel of Trinity Hall,
among the shields in the roof, are still to be seen the arms of
the ex-abbot: "Azure, a wolf rampant, a chief argent."^

* Memorials of Cranmer, vol. i, p. 274, ed. 1812.

f I am indebted for many of the facts here given relating to Donne's Life
to the sketch given by Christopher Anderson in his Annals of the English

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 109

155. He was honourably buried before the high altar in
Old St. Paul's, four days after his death, and the inscription
on his tomb has been fortunately preserved by Dugdale.*

Mole sub hoc Gabrael Donnus detruditur, hujus

Qui prseses Templi, Presbyter atque fuit.
Mortua terreno clauduntur membra sepulchri

Vivens coelicolo spiritus orbe manet,
Ossibus urna locum dat, pulvere terra recumbit,

Sydera sunt animaB coelica tecta suae.
Illius (adde Deus) menti tua gaudia clemens

Corpus in Elizii pace quiescat. Amen.

156. Donne was doubtless a time-server, and trimmed his
sails according to the varying breezes of the time. His share
in the persecution of Tyndale cannot be excused, but he
sinned with Sir Thomas More, Archbishop Cranmer, and
others no less distinguished. The great blot in his memory
must ever be his consenting to be forced upon the monks of
Buckfast as their abbot, taking the solemn oaths he was com-
pelled to by the rules of his order, well knowing that he was
sent to the monastery for a purpose, and that in a short time
he would be called upon to fulfil the undertaking he had
doubtless given, betray the solemn trust committed to him,
become a perjured man, and an accomplice in an act of
sacrilege and robbery.

157. At the time of the surrender, the following brethren
were in the house : —

The Abbot, Gabriel Donne.
The Prior, Arnold Gye.
John Cowle.
John Watts.
Eichard Taylor.
William Shapcott.
Matthew Pryston.
Richard Splat.
Thomas Gylle.
William Avery.
John Doyge.

158. With the exception of the Prior, Arnold Gye, all these
received pensions from £6 13s. 4d. paid to John Doyge,
down to Thomas Gylle who had but £5. Why was the

Bible. The author is strong in his denunciation of the ex-abbot, but all
alleged against him is the part taken against Tyndale.
* History of St. Paul's, ed. 1658, p. 61.

110 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

prior left out ? Was he less compliant than the others, or
had he passed away before the pension list was completed and
so spared the sight of the spoliation of his house.

159. For spoliation soon came. The Abbey, the church,
and the monastic buildings, with their sites and precincts, and
the cemetery, grange, and farm buildings, were granted by
the King to that avaricious knight, Sir Thomas Dennis, who
not only succeeded in deceiving the monks, pretending to
be their friend, and obtaining offices of trust, and of course
emolument, from them, but who also by his subserviency and
cringing made himself to be well thought of at Court. He
was appointed steward for the management of the lands of
several religious houses, and the reversion of the same office
was granted his son. He also pretended to give valuable
advice to the monks in the critical position in which they
were placed, in return for which he succeeded in obtaining
annuities from many of the abbeys and priories, and so well
did he play his game that he succeeded after their dis-
solution in obtaining confirmation of such annuities from the
Augmentation Court. Dr. Oliver well says, " if the mammon
of iniquity could confer happiness, this very rich man must
have been supremely happy."

160. I have found a curious letter written by him which
seems to imply that he had been charged with appropriating
lead from the abbey buildings. It is endorsed " Sir Thomas
Dennyes as touchinge vj. fodores of lead of the late P'ory of
Buckefast." To show that the lead was worth taking a little
trouble about, I may mention that a fodder weighed upwards
of two thousand pounds.

Sr Thomas Ttyght wurshipfull aft my hartye comenct doo pseve by Mr

Dennyes as Totyll ye be my verye good maist accordyng to trouthe for

jfoSSfJ*1 vj . fodder of leed supposed by Grove Mr Arundell 3 vaunt that

lead of the late I shulde have the custodi of. Wherfor trouthe I never sawe

P'ory of no suche leed nor psell therof and yf I had I am sure the

mater is not so lyght but he wolde have had for his dis-

chardge a byll of my hand of the recept or some other

sufficyent wytnesh to testyfye the same. I never was at

Buckfast but one tyme synnes I dyd purchasse yt therfore yf

yt maye please yor maistership & the rest of my maysters in

comyssion wth you to derect a comyssion in to the countreye

to enquyre for the trouthe herof yf then shall appere that I or

any one of my Servauntf to my knoledge or consent ever had

any parte of the seid leed I wyll promes you by this my

wrytting to geve you for everye fodder of leed a c u & in this

BUCKFAST ABBEY. Ill

wyes I trust you shall come to the knoledge of the trouthe &
knowe hym to be as he is & I a trewe man good Mr Barnes
for youre Jentylnes in this behalfe shoued I shall thyiik no
lesse but my selff alwayes bounden to gratefye you or any
Frynd of yours duryng my lyef wth such plesures as shall lye
in my huyll powre as knowethe the hollye Trynite to whome
I coinyt you.

Yours assured

THOM'S DENYS.

To the right Worshipfuft master Willyam BarSs Esquyer
geve this.

(Land Revenue Records, Bund. 1392, File 31, No. 1.)

161. The lead from the roof is also mentioned, with the
five bells in the tower of the church, in an inventory dated
29th November, 1555, headed "A brieif Declaraton of all
the Bell belonginge to late suppressed & dissolved Monasteries
and Pryores in the foresaide counties made by Mathiewe
Colthurst esquier late Auditor & Robt. Grove some tyme
s'vant to Sr Thomas Arundell Knight, late Receyvo1" there,
at the comaundyment of Willm Barnes, Thomas Myldemay &
John Wiseman Esquiers by their letters unto us directed."

V. Buckfaste xxxiiij1*. v8.

A Brieff Declaration of all the leadd belonginge to the
late Monasteries and P'ories [as before].
Buckfast vj foders ccc lib.

remayneng wth the farm s of the said
houses as it apereth by report of Edmonde
Wynter Esquyer.
(Land Revenue Records, Bund. 1392, File 33, N. 1.)

162. In 1553, besides the abbot, there were six monks still
alive and in receipt of pensions, viz., Matthew Preston, John
Watts, Richard Taylor, William Avery, and Richard Splate,
51. 6s. Sd. each, and Thomas Sylle, 5L*

163. There is little interest in tracing the subsequent
history of the Abbey lands. From Sir Thomas Dennis, with
the manor of Buckfast, they descended to his son, Sir Robert,
whose daughter Margaret is said to have married Sir Arthur
Mainwaring.f In 1629, according to Chappie, quoted by
Dugdale and Lysons, they were in the possession of Sir
Richard Baker, the historian. The property passing to the

* Brown Willis, Hist. Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 60.
f See Pole's Collections.

112 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

family of D'Oleys, it was by them dismembered and sold
off in parcels. The actual site of the Abbey was purchased
by Mr. Berry, by whom it was sold to Mr. William Searle
Benthall, and it is now the property of Dr. James Gale, of
Dovescourt, Newton Abbot.

164. Before 1806, when the remaining portions of the
buildings were almost entirely destroyed, the ruins were very
extensive, and, doubtless, the plan could have been made out
without difficulty. Westcote and Risdon speak of the
" skeleton of a huge body whereby may be conceived what
bigness once it bore, whose ruins may move the beholders
both to wonder and pity."* Buck's view is dated 1734, but
nothing certain can be learnt from it. It appears that the
church was- as usual chancel, transepts, and long nave, the
chapter-house on the south, and the conventual buildings
running down towards the river, the normal plan of the
Cistercians being followed. (See Buckland Abbey, par 12.)

165. In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1796, Mr. James
Laskey gives an account of the ruins, which, although very
unsatisfactory to an archa3ologist, is worth rescuing from the
pages of the old periodical. Of course we are not bound to
agree with all Mr. Laskey's speculations, some portions of his
story being, to say the least, curious.

After saying that the ruins were of great extent and
worthy of a more particular description than he could give,
the author proceeds : —

" There now remain of this magnificent ruin two arches
which appear to have been the entrance, and some ruins on
a large scale which we took for the lodge. The arches are
situated one behind the other and stand across the road
leading from Buckf astleigh to Ashburton ; the iron staples for
gates to hang on still remain and are of great bigness, which
led us to think they were of massy structure. The ruins of
what we took to be the lodge stand on the eastern side, its
length about twenty paces, breadth eight paces (not being sup-
plied for a minute measurement we were obliged to content
ourselves with it thus roughly, taking care to diminish rather
than exaggerate). On the same side are several apartments,
one of which is inhabited, another is converted into a pound-
house, in which stands a moorstone trough of great bulk, for
the purpose of breaking apples for the pound. The following
measurement I received from a learned gentleman who has
paid great attention to these ruins. The diameter of this

* Kisdon, p. 152.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 1 1 3

stone is 9 feet 4 inches, depth 3 feet 6 inches, one-half of which
is sunk in the ground ; the supposed weight before it was
hollowed he computes must amount to above 100 tons. It is
of the granite kind and affords matter of surprise by what
means it was brought there, stones of that quality not -being
to be found within the distance of many miles ; round the
abbey being one continued limerock, which is worked at
many places to a depth, height, and extent surprising, and
forming a vast cavern at once terrific and beautiful, which
proves an inexhaustible fund of gain to the owner. The
remainder of these ruins are situated in an orchard on the
western side of the road, at the bottom of which runs with
silent murmur the River Dart, seemingly regretting the
downfall of the abbey. The first thing that presents itself,
tradition says, was the abbot's cellar, which is entered by a
small Gothic gateway and is about twenty-eight paces long and
twelve wide arched overhead.

At one end remain a few steps which led to the ruin above,
which our guide told us was the abbot's kitchen ; it is now
converted into a kitchen garden. At the south end is the
skeleton of a set of apartments, which appear to have been
the cells of the monks, which was approached by winding
steps, fifty-one of which now remain. It is of particular form,
having, as well as we could guess, seven sides. The immense
bushes of ivy, dropping in rich festoons, almost buried its
form. On removing some of these we could plainly observe
the holes in which the joists and sleepers rested for support' on
the flooring, from which we judged the rooms to be about
6 feet in height in the clear, one above the other. These we
were told solely belonged to the abbot. Joining this was
their court of judicature and judgment seat, and behind a
dungeon for those that by their offences were thought worthy
of the same. On the north-east side appear the walls and foun-
dation of this once spacious and splendid seat of superstition ;
the abbey church and the remains of its tower all lying in
such massy fragments, that it is scarcely to be conceived by
what power so vast a fabrick could be disjointed. The walls
appear to be of the thickness of 9 or 10 feet and entirely
composed of small stones in layers and a compost of lime and
sand, which we supposed to have been thrown on these layers
hot, after the method antiently used in such large buildings,
which incorporating together formed a mass as solid as the
native rock. The ruins of this church appear to be about
250 feet in length, and the ruins of the tower towards the

1 14 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

south seem like huge and vast rocks piled on one another in
extensive confusion —

by Time's fell hand defac'd,
The rich proud cost of outworn bury'd age. — Shakspeare.1"

166. The author then goes on to say that, as stone for
building is plentiful in the neighbourhood, the ruins will in
all probability continue unmolested for ages; a prophecy
unfortunately not fulfilled. (A Ramble on Dartmoor, by J. L.
Gentleman's Magazine, 1796, vol. Ixvi. p. 194.)

What our author here calls the cellar and the seven-sided
building apparently still remain, the latter being what is now
called the Abbot's Tower. It is unquestionably a domestic
building of some kind, but nothing more certain I think can
be said. It is square, of three stories, with a cellar under.
In it are fireplaces and garderobes, with a well, and a stair-
case with landings to every floor; the entrance appears to
have been from the south on the first floor.

167. The great barn of the grange remains, and the arches,
of apparently an entrance, but the gatehouse is gone. In
the lawn on the eastern side of the house graves have been
found, and here was probably the cemetery. The foundations
of the present house, erected about fifty years since, are said
to be upon vaulted work of Early-English character. The
greater part of the materials of the old buildings were used in
the erection of the adjoining mill, which occupies the site of
some of the conventual buildings.

168. The arms of the Abbey are Sable, a crazier in pale
argent, the crook or, surmounted by a stag's head cdboshed,
of the second, horned gules. Leland gives a sketch in his
Collectanea. I know of two seals only belonging to the Abbey,
the first, appended to the surrender deed, is small, and shows
the Blessed Virgin Mary and Holy Child under a canopy, with
the legend " S. CONVENTUS BUCFESTRIE." The second is a
counter-seal of the abbot — in the centre an arm grasping a
crozier, the legend " SIGILL. ABB. BUCKFESTA^."

169. Let us now see what the various possessions of the
Abbey were. To commence with those we find in Domesday,
let us try to identify the manors there mentioned. The first
paragraph relating to each is a translation from the Exeter
Book, the second from the Exchequer Book, see paragraph 69.
The first is headed " The Land of the Church of the Abbot
of Bulfestre in Devonshire," the second u The Land of the
Church of Bucfestre."

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 115

170. PETROCKSTOW. " The abbot has a manor* which is
called PETROCESTOYA, which the abbot Aluuin held in that
day when King Edward was alive and dead, and it paid geld
for one virgate and a half. These can be ploughed by five
teams. From thence the abbot has in demesne half a virgate
and one plough,t and the villeins one virgate and two ploughs.
There the abbot has six villeins and one bordar and two
serfs and four oxen | [cows ?] and twenty sheep, and three
furlongs of wood in length and one furlong and a half in
breadth, and six acres of meadow and eight furlongs of
pasture in length, and five furlongs in breadth, and worth
by the year fifteen shillings, and when he received it it was
valued at just as much."

" The church of Buckfestre holds PETROCHESTOV. In the
time of King Edward it paid geld for one virgate of land
and a half. There is land for five ploughs. In demesne is
one plough and two serfs, and six villeins, and one bordar
with two ploughs. There six acres of meadow pasture eight
furlongs long and five furlongs broad. Formerly and now
worth fifteen shillings." Exchequer Book.

The name has changed but little during the eight hundred
years that have elapsed since the great book was com-
piled, although it is also known as Stow St. Petrock and
Heanton.

The return of the jurors recorded in the Hundred
Koll, temp. Edward I. shows that the abbot had a gallows
there.

Shortly before the dissolution the Valor § shows : —

* Mansionem. This word properly means a habitation, capital dwelling,
plot of ground, on which several houses are built.

t Mr. William Basevi Sanders is of opinion that in Domesday, whenever
" car" stands alone, it is intended for " cantca" or some case of that noun,
and that, whenever " carucata " is meant to be designated, " car " is always
followed by " terra" or is written in full. "Terra est . ... car," and similar
entries should therefore be read as meaning that there was as much arable
land as so many ploughs could till.

t Animalia.

§ This was a survey taken in consequence of Parliament having passed
a measure granting to the King the first-fruits of all spiritualities and a
tenth of the possessions of the Church. The instructions to the Commis-
sioners, dated 30th January, 1536, were to ascertain the whole and just
and yearly value of all possessions, lands, tenements, profits, &c., as well
spiritual us temporal, pertaining to any manner of dignity, monastery, church,
parsonage, vicarage, or other dignity through England, Wales, Berwick, and

Q2

116 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Manerium de Patrikstowe : — £ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum teuencium et

custumariorum . . . 5 6 11

Terrarum bartone . . . .318

Auxiliorum . . . . . 0 9 6

Operum custumariorum . . .180

De finibus terrarum cum perquisitis

curie et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii

per annum communibus annis . . 3 2

13 9 0£

And the Ministers' accounts give : —
Petrockystowe Reditus tarn liberorum

quam custumariorum tenentium . 746
Firma manerii . . . - .318

Perquisita curie . . . .039

Porcio 168

and the rector paid £1 6s. 8d. to the abbey. —

The manor appears to have been merged in that of Heanton
Sackville in the same parish, and it has descended, as shown
by Lysons, with the advowson of the church, to Lord Clinton,
whose nephew, the present baron, now enjoys them.

171. AISSA. There are two Ashs mentioned in Domesday
as belonging to the Abbey. One is doubtless Ash the village
in the parish of South Brent, but the locality of the other is
very uncertain.

" The abbot has one manor which is called AISSA, which
paid geld for one virgate and a half in that day when King
Edward was alive and dead. These can be ploughed by
three teams. From thence the abbot has in demesne half a
virgate and one plough, and the villeins one virgate and two
ploughs. There the abbot has five villeins, and three bordars,
and three serfs, and ten oxen, and forty sheep, and six acres of
wood and six acres of meadow, and three furlongs of pasture
in length and breadth, and it is worth by the year twenty
shillings, and, when he received it, it was worth ten shillings."

" The abbot has one manor which is called AISSA, which the
abbot Aluuin held in that day in which King Edward was
alive and dead, and paid geld for a hide and a half. This ten
teams can plough. Thence the abbot has in demesne a
virgate and a half and one plough, and the villeins have a
hide and a half, a virgate, and five ploughs. There the abbot
has eight villeins, and eight bordars, and six serfs, and nine
oxen, and sixty-eight sheep, and eleven goats, and three fur-

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 117

longs in length of wood and one in breadth, and four acres of
meadow and one mile of pasture in length and a half in
breadth, and worth by the year thirty shillings, and, when the
abbot received it, it was worth just the same."

" The same church holds AISSE. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one virgate of land and a half.
There is land for five ploughs. In demesne is one plough
and three serfs and five villeins, and three bordars with two
ploughs. There six acres of meadow and six acres of wood,
pasture three furlongs in length and breadth. Formerly ten
shillings, now worth twenty shillings." Exchequer Book.

u The same church holds AISSE. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one hide and a half. There is land
for ten ploughs. In demesne is one plough and six serfs, and
eight villeins and nine bordars with five ploughs. There four
acres of meadow. Pasture one mile [leuca] long and half-a-
mile broad ; wood three furlongs long and one furlong broad.
Formerly and now worth thirty shillings." Exchequer Book.

172! LIME orLimet, as the Exchequer Book has it, I am
unable to trace.

" The abbot has one manor which is called LHLE, and it paid
geld in that day in which King Edward was alive and dead
for one hide. This seven teams can plough. Thence the
abbot has one virgate and one plough in demesne, and the
villeins have three virgates aud six ploughs. There the abbot
has ten villeins and fourteen bordars, and four serfs and nine
oxen, and four pigs and seventy -two sheep, and four acres of
small wood, and three acres of meadow, and it is worth by
the year fifty shillings."

" The same church holds LIMET. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one hide. There is land for eight
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and four serfs and ten
villeins and fourteen bordars with six ploughs. There three
acres of meadow, and four acres of small wood. It is worth
fifty shillings." Exchequer Book.

173. DONA, Downe, or Done, is Down St. Mary. The Manor
and Water Mill, Barton Estate, Donne and Cliflfe Wood, with
the advowson and rectory of Downe Church, belonged to the
house at its fall. SELE, Zeal Monachorum, is near it, and
they are entered in the accounts together. The latter is the
manor mentioned in the Hundred Roll as having come to the
abbey by the gift of King Cnut

" THE abbot has one manor which is called DONA, which
paid geld for two hides in that day in which King Edward

118 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

was alive and dead. This ten teams can plough. Thence
the abbot has in demesne half a hide and one plough and the
villeins one hide and a half and five ploughs. There the
abbot has twelve villeins, and nine bordars, and seven serfs,
and six oxen, and four pigs, and sixty-six sheep, and eight
furlongs of small wood, and eight acres of meadow, and twelve
acres of pasture, and it is worth by the year three pounds. "

" The same church holds DONE. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for two hides. There is land for ten
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and seven serfs and
twelve villeins and nine bordars with five ploughs. There
eight acres meadows and twelve acres of pasture and seven
furlongs of small wood. It is worth three pounds." Ex-
chequer Book.

The Valor gives : —

Manerium de Sele et Donne —

£ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum tenencium . 0 17 3^
Custurnariorum tenencium . . 15 ] 9 8£
Terrarum bartone . ' . . . 11 17 9
Firma molendini . . . . 1 10 0

De finibus terrarum cum perquisitis
curie ' et aliis proficuis ejusdem
manerii per annum communibus
annis . . . . . . 6 4 5£

Inde solutum Priori Sancti Johannis
Exonie et successoribus suis de
quodam annuali redditu per annum 1 10 0

Et remanet clare . 34 19 2£

And the Ministers' accounts —

£ s. d.
Sele et Downe Redditus liberorum

tenentium . . . . 0 17 3ob.

Sele Redditus custumariorumtenentium 4 17 4 ob.
Downe Redditus custumariorum tenen-

tium 12 12 4 ob. q.

Sele et Downe Firma certe terre vocate

le barton ground . . . . 11 17 9
Perquisita Curie . . . .089
Sele et Downe Porcio de rectorie . 2 13 4

174. TRUSHAM. "The abbot has a manor which is called
TRISMA, which paid geld for one hide that day in which King
Edward was alive and dead. This four teams can plough.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 1 1 9

Thence the abbot has in demesne one virgate and one plough and
the villeins three virgates and three ploughs. There the abbot
has four villeins, and nine bordars, and ten serfs, and six oxen,
and nine pigs, and one hundred and three sheep, and twenty-two
goats, and sixteen acres of wood, and three acres of meadow,
and ten of pasture, and it is worth by the year thirty shillings,
and when he received it it was worth twenty-five shillings."

" The same church holds TRISMA. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one hide. There is land for three
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and ten serfs and four
villeins, and nine bordars with three ploughs. There three
acres of meadow and ten acres of pasture and sixteen acres of
wood. Formerly twenty-five shillings, now worth thirty
shillings." Exchequer Book.

Trisma is Trusham, granted by the King to a Southcote, in
whose family it continued for several generations, and is now
the property of Sir Lawrence Palk.
The Valor gives : —

Trisme. £ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum tenencium .072
Custumariorum tenentium . . . 5 9 0£
Ac terrarum bartone . . . .557
De quibus terra cum perquisitis curie
et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii per
annum communibus annis 2 13 7

13 15 4f

Ministers' Accounts.

Trisme —

Redditus liberorum tenentium . .072
Redditus custumariorum tenentium . 10 14 10 ob.
Porcio ...... 1 lib' cere.

175. AISERSTONE. lt The abbot has one manor which is
called HAISERSTONA, which paid geld for one ferling and
a-half and three acres in that day in which King Edward
was alive and dead. There the abbot has one villein who
pays forty pence a year."

" The same church holds AISERSTONE. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one ferling and a half and three acres
of land. There one villein pays forty pence." Exchequer Book.
Aiserstone, it has been suggested, is Ascerton in the
parish of Sidmouth, but there is no evidence that I can find,
showing that the abbey ever had any land there, and we may
find it much nearer the abbey, Staverton being perhaps the
place, the monks having a mill there in later years.

120 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

With reference ta Staverton the Valor gives : —

Staverton —
Molendinum ibidem valet per annum £ s. d.

ultra . . . . 6 13 4

Solutum decano et capitulo Exonia3 et

successoribus suis per annum . .368

Ministers' Accounts : —

Stafarton —
Eedditus Molendini . . . 10 0 0

176. HEATHFIELD. " The abbot has a manor which is called
HETFELT, which the abbot Aluuin held in that day in which
King Edward was alive and dead, and paid geld for two hides.
These twelve teams are able to plough ; from thence the abbot
has in demesne half a hide and one plough, and the villeins
have one hide and five ploughs. There the abbot has ten
villeins and nine bordars and six serfs, and eleven oxen, and
five pigs, and sixty sheep, and sixteen goats, and two acres of
small wood, and forty acres of pasture, and it is worth by
the year forty shillings, and, when the abbot received it, it
was worth thirty shillings."

" The same church holds HETFELD. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for two hides. There is land for twelve
ploughs. In demesne is ^ one plough and six serfs, and ten
villeins and nine bordars 'with five ploughs. There forty acres
of pasture and two acres of small wood." Exchequer Book.

Hetfelt or Hetfeld or Hethfylde is the manor of Heath-
field, in the parish of Aveton Giffard. Here, it is stated in
the Hundred Roll, the abbot had a gallows, and conse-
quently power of life and death.

The Valor gives : —

Manerium de Hethfyld — £ s. d.

Redditus assise tarn liberorum tenen-

tium quam custumariorum . . 17 16 7^
Terrarum bartone . . . 12 9 9

Auxiliorum . . . . .168
Operum custumariorum tenencium . 1 10 1£
De finibus terre cum perquisitis curise
et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii
per annum communibus annis . 219

35 4 11 "

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 121

Ministers' Accounts.
Hethfylde— £ s. d.

Redditus liberorum tenentium . . 4 18 11
Venditio operum cum auxilio tenen-
tium 2 17 7 ob.

Redditus custumariorum tenentium . 7 12 8
Redditus terr' berton' . . . 18 18 10
Perquisita curie . . . .011

177. BULFESTRA. "The abbot has one manor which is
called BULFESTRA, and is the head of the abbacy, and that
never paid geld. There the abbot has one smith [or carpenter]
and ten serfs, who have two ploughs, and there the abbot has
three pigs and one mile in length of wood and a half in
breadth."

" BUCFESTRE is the head of the abbacy. It never paid
geld. There is one blacksmith and ten serfs, with two
ploughs. Wood one mile long and half a mile broad."
(Exchequer Book.)

Bulfestre and Bucfestre, of course, stand for the caput
abbatice. At Buckfastleigh there appear to have been four
manors, those of Buckfast Abbey, Buckfast, Brooke Main-
bow, and Kilbenland. The Earl of Macclesfield and Dr.
Gale hold these now, or what portions of them remain.

The Valor gives,

Manerium de Buckfastleigh cum Kelbury.

Redditus assise tarn terrarum domini-

calium cum pastura bosci circa man- £ s. d.
cionem dicti monasterii . . .800
Ac piscaria de Dert . . . .100
Quam liberorum tenencium . . 46

Ac custumariorum tenencium . . 50 0 1 1
Firma molendini . . . .400
Incrementum redditus . . .274

Finis terre 4 1 0£

Ac perquisita curie per annum com-

munibus annis . . . . 1 18 7J

71 12 5

1 22 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Manerium de Kylbury,

Redditus assise tarn liberorum tenen-

cium quam custumariorum cum £ s. d
molendino ibidem valet per annum . 18 15 9

Maynebowe.

Redditus assise tarn liberorum tenen-
cium quam custumariorum tenen-
cium 229

De finibus terre cum perquisitis curie
et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii per
annum communibus annis . . 1 14 3

3 17 0£

Ministers' Accounts.

Buckfastleigh. Scitus cum terris pratis

pascuis et pasturis . . . .1136
Redditus liberorum tenentium . .046
Redditus custumariorum tenentium 30 1 7
Firma duorum molendinorum aquat'

granat' . . . . .401

Kenynton, alias Lo wertowne . Redditus

custumariorum tenentium . . 20 8 11 ob.
Buckfastleigh. Perquisita curie . 668
Kylbury. Redditus liberorum tenentium 0 0 1 ob.
Redditus custumariorum tenentium . 20 12 0
Maynbow. Redditus liberorum tenen-
tium 140

Redditus custumariorum tenentium . 0 18 4

Perquisitse curie . . . .024

Buckfastleigh. Porcio . . . 0 16 8

,, j, Firma Rectorie . 11 13 4

178. NOTONA. " The abbot has one manor which is called
NOTONA, which the Abbot Alwin held in that day in which King
Edward was alive and dead, and it paid geld for two hides.
These ten teams are able to plough. From thence he has
half a hide and one plough in demesne and the villeins one
hide and a half and five ploughs. There the abbot has nine
villeins and twelve bordars and six serfs and four oxen and
three pigs and seventy sheep, and two furlongs of wood in
length and one in breadth, and two acres of meadow and

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 123

twenty acres of pasture. This is worth forty shillings, and
when the abbot received it thirty shillings."

li The same church holds NOTONE. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for two hides. There is land for ten
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and six serfs and nine
villeins and twelve bordars with five ploughs. There two
acres of meadow and twenty acres of pasture. Wood two
furlongs long and one broad. Formerly thirty shillings,
now worth forty shillings." (Exchequer Book.)

To this place we can assign no modern name.

179. CHEREFORDA may be Churstowe, although this is
only a guess.

" The abbot has one manor which is called Chereforda,
which the Abbot Alwin held in that day in which King
Edward was alive and dead, and paid geld for one hide.
This eight teams are able to plough. From thence the abbot
has one virgate and one plough in demesne and the villeins
three virgates and three ploughs. There the abbot has seven
villeins and six bordars and four serfs and six oxen and
forty-four sheep and two acres of meadow and twenty acres
of pasture. This is worth thirty shillings, and when the abbot
received it twenty shillings."

" The same church holds CHEREFORD. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for one hide. There is land for eight
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and four serfs and
seven villeins and six bordars with three ploughs. There two
acres of meadow and twenty acres of pasture. Formerly
twenty shillings, now thirty shillings." (Exchequer Book.)

The Valor gives,

Manerium de Churchstowe —

£ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum tenencium . 2 14 8j
18 libre cere et dimidium

Custumariorum tenencium . 17 7 8

Terrarum dominicalium . . . 21 0 0

De finibus terre cum perquisitis curie
et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii
per annum communibus annis . 3 13 5£

£44 15 9|
1 8 libre cere et dim.

2 R

124 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Kyngesbrigg—

Redclitus assise liberorum tenencium £ s. d.
et convencionariorum . . , 8 8 0
Firma mplendinorum • . . .368
Exitus mercatorum -et nundinarum . 500
Ac perquisita curie per annum com-

munibus annis . . . 0 18 0

Inde solutum Philippe Champernon
militi et heredibus suis pro redditu
gurgitis molendini fixati super
terrain suam apud Dodbrooke per
annum . .... 0 2 0

Et remanet clare . £17 10 8£

Ministers' Accounts.

Churstowe — £ s. d.

Redditus tarn liberorum quam custu-

mariorum tenentium . . . 3 3 2 q.

Kyngesbrigge —

Redditus custumariorum tenentium . 918

Exitus mercat' sive nundinarum . 568

Redditus liberorum tenentium . . 4 4 8 ob.
Perquisita curie . . . 0 18 6

Churchstowe cum capella de Kings-
bridge — Firma rectorie . . 32 14 6

180. BRENT. " The abbot has one manor which is called
BRENTA, which the abbot Alwin held in that day in which King
Edward was alive and dead, and paid geld for two hides. These
ten teams can plough. From thence the abbot has half a
hide and one plough in demesne, and the villeins one hide
and a half and five ploughs. There the abbot has ten-
villeins, and eight bordars, and five serfs, and fourteen oxen,
and fifty-five sheep, and five acres of wood, and four acres
of meadow, and thirty acres of pasture. This is worth forty
shillings, and when the abbot received it thirty shillings."

" The abbot has one manor which is called BRENTA, which
the abbot held in that day in which King Edward was alive
and dead, and paid geld for two hides. This six teams are able
to plough. Thence the abbot has half a hide and one plough
in demesne, and the villeins one hide and a half and three
ploughs. There the abbot has eight villeins and six bordars,
and four serfs and eleven oxen, and seventy sheep, and thirty

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 125

goats, and one mile of wood in length and one furlong in
width, and two acres [of meadow]* and one mile of pasture
in length and a half in breadth. This is worth thirty
shillings, and when the abhot received it twenty shillings."

" The same church holds BRENTA. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for two hides. There is land for ten
ploughs. In demesne is one plough and five serfs, and ten
villeins and eight bordars with five ploughs. There four
acres of meadow and four acres of wood, and thirty acres of
pasture. Formerly thirty shillings, now worth forty shillings.'"

" The same church holds BRENT. In the time of King
Edward it paid geld for two hides. There is land for six
ploughs. In demesne is half a plough and four serfs, and
eight villeins and six bordars with three ploughs. There two
acres of meadow, pasture one mile long and half a mile
broad, wood one mile long and one furlong broad. Formerly
twenty shillings, now thirty shillings." (Exchequer Book.)

The two Brentas stand for manors, both probably in the
parish of South Brent. The Brent property appears in the
Valor and Ministers' accounts, as under: —

The Valor gives,

Manerium de Brent. £ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum tenentium . 867^
Et custumariorum tenencium . . 87 17 3
Firma molendini . . . .6168

Piscaria . . . . . .034

Incrementum redditus . . . 9176^
De finibus terrarum cum perquisitis
curie et aliis proficuis ejusdem manerii
per annum communibus annis . 11 5 2f

121 6 7|
Ministers' Accounts.

Brent. Redditus liberorum tenentium

manerii . . . . 8 17 3

Redditus custumariorum et conventio-

nariorum tenentium . . . 1 02 1 5 7 q.

Brent. Porcio de vicarie . . .040

Brent. Firma rectorie . . . 18 2 10

181. I have now been through the whole of the land
mentioned in Domesday, and shown as nearly as possible that
it continued to be held down to the time of the Dissolution.
* Omitted, but see Exchequer Book.

126 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Besides the above the Abbey held some other land scattered
through the county, mentioned thus : —

In hundreto Mertone .... Abb de Bulfestra i

virga. Fol. 65b., p. 59.

In hundreto chridiatone . . . Dehisht' Osbuus ep§ iiii.
hid & dim. & abbas de bulfestra dim' hida. Fol. 66b, p. 60.

In hundredo Taintone . . . . et abbas bulfestrensis
fertium [ferlium ?] & dim'. Fol. 69b, p. 64.

In hundredo dippeford . . . . et abbas bulfestrensis
ii. hid. Fol. 69b, p. 65.

182. Of course the property had greatly increased in
value since Domesday, but that was owing to the general
progress of the country, and the care bestowed upon it by
its owners, but it cannot fail to be noticed that the additions
made during the time between the Great Survey and the
Dissolution were few and unimportant. They were, following
still the Valor and Ministers' Accounts, as follows : —

183. PALSTON, in South Brent, probably belonged to one of
the Domesdav manors, thus mentioned in the Valor: —

£ s. d.

Eedditu bertone ibidem per annum .300
And in the Ministers' Accounts —

Redditus terrarum dominicalium vocat'

Palston ...... 3 0 0

184. ENGLEBURNE, Ingleborne, or Engelbourne, is in the
parish of Harberton. It was leased by Gabriel Donne to
Sir Phillip Champernowne for a term of sixty years, and
subject to this was sold by the Crown. About the end of the
last century it was divided into parcels and sold.

Valor.
Manerium de Engleburne.

£ s. d.

Redditus assise liberorum tenencium . 090

1 libra cere.

Custumariorum tenencium in Totnes,
Aisheberyngton, Churston, quam
Engleburne predicta . . 10 7 2

et 1 libra cere.

Ac terrarum bartone . . . 5 13 4

De finibus terrarum cum perquisitis
curie et aliis proficuis ejusdem
manerii communibus annis . . 2 5 0

18 14 6£
2 libre cere.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 127

Ministers' Accounts.

Engleburne — £ s. d.

Redditus liberorum tenentium , . 0121
Redditus tarn custumariorum quam

conventionariorum tenentium . .1106
Firma manerii . . . 5 13 4

185. BROMSTON or Brownston is a manor in the parish of
Modbury and was given to the abbey by John de Morville.
On the Dissolution Sir Thomas Dennis secured this for
himself.

Valor.

Brounston —
Redditus assise custumariorum tenen-

cium ibidem per annum . . .510^

1 par. cirotecarum.

Ministers' Accounts.
Bromston —
Redditus assise . . . . 5 0 10 ob.

186. BOTTOXBURGH, Bottoky sburgh , or Battisborough, is a
manor in the parish of Holbeton.

Valor.

Bottokysburgh —

Redditus assise liberorum tenencium . 1 15 5^

Custumariorum tenencium . .668

Terrarum bartone . . . . 12 5 4

Firma molendini . . . .200
Ac perquisita curie per annum com-

munibus anuis . . . .053^

22 12 9

Ministers' Accounts.
Bottoxburgh —

Redditus liberorum tenentium . . 1 15 5 ob.
Redditus conventionariorum tenentium 790
Firma capitalis mesuagii . . 13 3 0

Perquisita curie . . . .048

187. CHYSCOMBE was a piece or parcel of land in the
parish of Dene Prior, of the yearly value of 6s. 8d. both in
the Valor and the Ministers' Accounts.

128 . THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

188. At SPYCHEWYKE, in the manor of the same name, in
the parish of Widdecombe, the abbey had two tenements
returned at an annual rent of 28s. both in the Ministers'
Accounts and in the Valor.

189. NORTH BOVEY. Here was a tenement included in the
Valor and Ministers' Accounts as producing an annual rent
of 10s.

190. Hoo or Hooe, in the parish of Plymstock, described
in the Valor as being below the parish of Plympton. Here
was a tenement entered in both accounts as being worth 8s.
per annum.

191. PLYMPTON. Here the Abbey had a garden, the rent
being returned in the Ministers' Accounts and Valor at 5s.
yearly.

192. EXETER. Like most of the other abbeys, Buckfast
had a house in the city for the residence of the abbot, the
successive owners of which are traced by Dr. Oliver. In
the Valor and Ministers' Accounts it is entered as producing
only 6d. per annum for firewood. The reason of this probably
was, that it had been leased for a money payment, this small
amount being reserved. It was not until 1543 that the King
disposed of it.

193. BICATON, a village in the parish of Broadhempston,
according to Oliver, belonged to the house, but I have not
met with any mention of it in any original document, nor
does the name or parish occur in either the Valor or Ministers'
Accounts.

194. We also find enumerated in the Valor the usual pay-
ments made out of the annual revenue, amounting to £15 16s.
There was a corrody of £3 per annum to James Knottysford.

1 95. The spiritualities, which are entered separately, amount
with the pensions paid to £68 14s. 3d. and one pound of wax
from the Rectory of Petrockstow.

196. Taking then the figures as they stand in the Valor,
we find that the total annual income of the Abbey in 1534
was — £ s. d.

1534. Rents, &c. ... 430 19 7|

26 Hen. vii. Spiritualities . 68 14 3

cap. 3.

out of which payments — 499 13 lOf

Temporalities . 15 16 0
Spiritualities . 17 6 8

33 2 8

£466 11 23

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 12!>

Thus leaving the total nett income £466 11s. 2fd., besides
twenty pounds of wax and one pair of gloves, an income
larger than any other Cistercian house in Devon. And yet,
unlike some monastic establishments, there appears to have
been no greed of wealth, no undue accumulation of riches ;
the monks did their best with their land, and often had, as we
have seen, to struggle to maintain their rights; but in the
centuries which elapsed between the Conquest and the Disso-
lution it cannot be said that they had been covetous ; and
the sneer of Richard Coaur de Lion, when he told Fulke that
of his three daughters, Covetousness, Pride, and Lust, he
would bestow the first upon the white monks, could not
apply to the monks of Buckfast.

197. Besides being the chief farmers of the day, the Cis-
tercians were great promoters of the industrial arts. It has
recently been discovered that the Cistercians were the prede-
cessors of the ironmasters of the nineteenth century, the
monks of Kirkstead and Louth Park Abbey having pro-
moted iron-mining and smelting, and Carried on the work on
an extensive scale.

Rather than covetous, the Cistercians should be called
thrifty and industrious, developing the resources of the
neighbourhood in which they settled, and endeavouring to
make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before.
It would be a pleasant task, and the results valuable, to trace
out the various occupations in which these monks engaged,
and what effects their labours have had upon the commercial
and agricultural interests of the country.

198. Buckfastleigh owes what prosperity it has to the
monks of Buckfast, for the Cistercians were the great wool
traders of the times in which they lived, and the owners of
the large mills, some of which are built up with the materials
of the Abbey and its belongings, are but carrying out in the
same locality, in other ways, the work of former years.

Yon may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will cling round it still ;

and so, when we use the "Abbot's Way" across the breezy
moor, we think of those busy men who often trod it, and
carried their merchandise along it; and when we follow the
"" Monk's Path " by the Dart, flowing on as it did long
years ago,

Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge,
It overtaketh in its pilgrimage ;

the lives of those who prayed and laboured, laboured and

130

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

prayed, hard by, must occupy our thoughts, and " Abbot's
Way " and " Monk's Path," and the moor and the river, tell
us more, and do more to keep alive the memory, of the old
dwellers in the Abbey of Bulfestre, than the few scanty re-
mains of the buildings which they raised.

APPENDIX (A).

LIST OF THE ABBOTS OF BUCKFAST.

Name.

Approx.
date.

Authorities.

Alwine
Eustachius
William .
Nicholas . . . *

1066
1143
1196
1207?

Domesday Book.
ArchivesDeanand Chapter, Exeter
Foundation Deed, Torr Abbey.
Grant to John Lambrith.

Michael .
William . « .
Ho well . 4

1225
1246

1247

Pedes Finium Henry III.
Coll. Sir William Pole, B.M.
Oliver.

Durandus . . .

1258

Oliver.

Henry . '
Simon
Robert .

1268
1272
1280

Coll. Sir William Pole, B.M.
Episcopal Registers, Exeter.
Do. do.

Peter

Robert
Stephen
John de Churstowe .

1290

1316
1330
1332

Agreements with Hubernford and
others, &c.-
Episcopal Registers.
Do. do.
Do. do.

William Giffard.

1333

Do. do.

Philip
Robert Simons .

1349
"1358

Do. do.
Do. do.

William Paderston .

1395

Do. do.

William Slade .

1400

Do. do.

William Beaghe
Thomas Rogger
John Ffychet .
John Matthu

1415
1432
1440
1449

Do. do.
Do. do.
Do. .do.
Do. do.

John Kynge
John Rede
St. Clere Pomeroy ? .
Alfred Gffle .
John Rede

1483
1498

1512
1525

Will of Ambrose Franke.
Episcopal Registers. *
See par. 149.
Episcopal Registers.
Do. do.

Gabriel Donne .

1537

Do. do.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 131

APPENDIX (B).

The following documents are printed (from transcripts made for me from
the originals in the British Museum) as they stand, with the contractions
and errors. I hava thought it best to adopt this course with all the docu-
ments throughout this paper, the greater part of which are printed for the
first time.

SLOANE MS. No. 513. (fo. 210B.)

Anno Drii Mmo 'tc. In crastino prificacois Be Marie vrg
copleta visine in mo"~s?io de B. p pve3 Abbate statuta sut ea q
secutr f^mit ob^vanda. In p'mis statuitr Anno Dni Tx. Nos
Fr R. dcus Abbas — visitantes filam nrarn Abbacia de B. sta-
tuim'1 T; pcipim^ ea q sequf inviolabilit obsvada In pis statud
decevim^ T;c. Et in fine sigillu visitator appo"~tr Qn aliq^
officiu tepale iniugi"" If Mo^cho alic1 vi 9vso p Abbm suu h°
juramentu sb sc'ptu tenear pstar cora Abfee suo T; seniorib} de
coventu p costitucoes Dni Bndci pape xijmi.

IT Juramentu.

Ego fr R mo^ch^ vt 9vsus Mori de B. ordis Cist juro p
I** sea Di ev""nge"" q, ab i10 die in antea in offo m1 p vos
Abfeem meu comisso T; i oib} T; sin1 m1 in offo p\lco comiss
fidelit me tiebo T; % de p'ciis reddaib} f^ctibj seu pvetib}
quib3eu3 hide pveientib} T; expnsis quocies T; qn p Abbe)
meu requisit^ mo fidele 9poti» redda pt D§ m1 ded^it 1 poro
T; reliq"" quecu} supf uit Mo""stio vt bursario h^ Mori mei
integ""lit assignabo sc me D§ adjuvet 1 ista sea Dr Ev""ngelia.

IT Juramentu novicorf .

^[ Ego fr N cticus juro p ista s.ca Dr ev""ngea q^ ab isto die
in antea nullu appona repugnacois obstacim uttm pcrabo
defencois psidfn qm ad jussiom Abbis mei offa si qua m1 com-
mittetr in futro dimitta abs) 9""diccone q""cu3 sic me Ds
adjuvet Ic.

Quili) novici^ in ordre Cis? petens instant ut pfessiom sua
faciat inf *~ annu pbois sue T: si cocedr ei sic licite pt ut ex""
de relig T; t""nsit ad religiom c° ad aplicam Tuc pre? T; faciat
ins'pta renuciacom in cn° cora Abbe suo T; coventu.

Pfessio Monachorf.

Ego if R cticus Exorcista Accolit'1 sbdiacon*1 t sacdos
pmitto stabilite mea T: 06^051 morf meorf T; obedienaz
sm regta3 sci Bndci ordis Cist cora Do T; omrb3 scis ej^ quorf

2 s

132 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

reliquie hie hntr in hoc loco qui vocar Bucfast ord Cist
constructo in hone beatissime De genitricis semp rp*1 Vginis
Marie in psencia diii Wiili Abbis.

H Juramentu Abbis.

Ego fr N etcus Abbs Icfi Mori be Marie de B juro p ista
sea Dr evn"~gea p me tacta % possessiones redditf T: jura
mobilia 1 ImobiHa isti^ Mon no venda nc alienabo vl impig-
norabo ne} de novo infeodabo nc p am modum donabo n1
q^tenus statutu Pape Bndci T; jura ordis mei pmittut sc me
Ds adjuvet T; ista sea Dr Ev'^nge* p me tacta T; vaci?
osculata.

Juramentu scolaris mittendi ad studiu.

Ego fr N etcus scolaris huj^ Mori be Me de B ordis Cist
juro p ista sea Dr evn"~gea q> ab isto die in antea C9a com ordis
mei pVilegia libtates T: appbatas Qsuetudies atq} statuta a*d
clam vl pala p me 1 p aliu attemptar impet^re seu 1 in aco
illicite sive pcve C9"'ire no psuma ufi pdcus ordo meus in pte
vl in toto dampnu a^cadalu inc""rer valeat vl g"~vamen se me
D§ ^tc.

Juramentu scolaris pmovedi ad g"~du scolasticum.

Ego f r N Monachus T; scolaris Mon be Me de Bucfast ordis
Cist juro p ista sea Di ev^nge3 q} cu ad baclar vl Magist^tu
theologice facultat9 pvenJo 09^ instituta ordis mei p'vilegia T;
libtates a'd in futris no atteptabo p me 1 p aliu seu alios nc
quocii} doloso color quesito pcrabo seu p me pcrari paciar
ipetrando q"" instituta T; libtates ordis mei andci Nee eidm
psuma vi T; pcrabo p me vl p aliu clam ,vl pala inf'ng'e seu
q°modoli3 alias inpugr"" se me Ds T:c.

Juramentu Monachi vocati ad cosiliu Abbatis.

Ego fr N. Mo^ch9 T; pfessus Mon be Me de B. ordis Cist
juro p ita sea Dr ev""nge"" q^ secretu T; consiliu q^cuj m1 per
vos Abbm meu vt aliu seu alios nore vro ja revelandu fidelit?
tenebo at} ?vabo nc id ullaten41 in postPu alic1 vi a{d p1? con-
scra3 vra} p me nc p alia seu p alios q°scu3 revelabo ne3
denudabo nc T; revelar seu denudar faciam vt pcurabo sic me

Juramet Monachi mHedi ad curia Ro""na p negois

Ego f r N. Mo^ch^ T; pfess1) 1^ Mon be Me de B. juro p ista
sea Dr ev^nge"" p me corpat tacta q, negoa dni mei Abbis T;
dee Mo""s?ii mei 9missa T: cornHenda fide* in cur ro"~na pseq^r
T; p posse meo ditnr pmovebo cu exacta diligencia ac pecunia3

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 133

m1 deltbanda in usus T; utilitez dcorf negociorf m1 comissorf
~i comittedoi T; n5 in alios vsus frivilos expenda q^q3 ullain
Tp et"~c6m in dca cur vl alibi p me vl p aliu seu alios facia vl
f i pcu^bo q tend9e petit ad incementu honorf seu status dci
dni mei abbis vl mei ae cgli^ de coventu sive Mori me fJiudiciu
vl ruina q°vism° ac Tt inr"~ t'duu advent'' mei p'mo ad dca}
cur griali pcu""tori ordis mei si ei^ copia her potuo me fideli?
pntabo sc me ds T:c.

Juramet Mo"~ch \ C9\rsi dircti ad cur ro"~na p absolucoe.

Ego fr N. Mo""cl^ I pfessus h9 Mo^st" de B. iuro p ista
sea di ev^ng8 q> cass que stimulante Qscia mea dno meo
abfei exposui T; p q° ad endm sede aplica iiam ab eo petivi
v19 est T; vacit1 ml accidit ullo simulacois vl fraud is color
pmixto T; q, p tepe quo ex"" dcm Mori meu ex causa pdca fuo
itinktu'^s mansurus vl q°m°cu3 moraturus nullu oio actu vl
instu mentu seu ajd aud qcfi} noie censeat"" 09"" p'vilegia
ordis mei afidci vl statuta a1 C9suetudies appbatas eiusdm p
me vl-p alios seu aliu pcu^bo a1 alias arte vl ingeuio impetrabo
(^ in ^iudiciu ac£> psone 0901)3 stat9 dignite vl condicois existat
vl g^vamen ac T; inf"" fduii p9 advetu meu p'mo ad cur
ro^na gnlali pcu^tori ordis mei si copia if i9 her poro me
fidelir presentabo sc me ds T;c.

•

Obligaco recipiendi in Noviciu.

Ego N. de ciicus Exorcista accloit9 sbdiacon9 diacon9 vl
sacdos dio instinctu motus cupiens vitam Mo^chalem duce in
isto Mori be Me de B. ordis Cist Exofi dioc obligo me do T:
be Me Sp vgi di geni^ci ac oib} scis T; pa^ abba q> die m1 limitato
tonsura 1 hitu noviciori in isto dco Mori vacit assuma ac
integru annu pbaconis mee vl qntu in h°a regla sci bndci fuit
indultu fidelit pimplebo sm for^m ordis andci.

IF Peticio novicij in Capitulo.

Dne peto instan? 1 hm^9 supplico qten9 \aleam a vobis
recipi ad faciend pfess'iom mea in isto Mori de B. ad sviend
do T; scis eius hie in? vos in hitu Monachal]' scdtn Feglam §ci
bndci ordis Cis? ad ?minu vite mee sm legem di ~l vra docu-
menta. IF Tuc exponat illi abbas auricia ordis vt est modus.

IF Renuciaco.

Ego fra? Ric etct9 Novicius in isto Mori bte Marie de
Bukfast ordis Cist dio instictu motus cupiens ordinem monas-
ticu in isto pdco Mori sm reglax sci bndicti solempni^ pfiti in

134 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

sbsidu novicijs religiosis de iure indultu novi nc metu induct.5"
83 pe sponte sipli1:9 T; absolute residue dcti anni pbaconis mee
in hijs sc{ptf renuco T; peto instant me recipi ad pfessiom
pdcam faciendam §m for^m ordinis antedci.

Itm cu refrigescente devocone mlto& pauce psoe pth dolor
ad C9vsioem veiant hijs diebx vfi in noullis mudi ptibx
monastia nri ordis magnu paciut"" defectu psonaa ppt qd
cult9 diu9 minuit"' T; monasteria ipa in tepalib} magna
sustineat lesione vt aute de receptis novicijs cici adiuvet"" cam
gele diffiva alias edita de novijs ante annu pbacois finitu ad
.pfessione solempne admittens ipis q3 fendicedis vsq3 ad revo-
cacoem pdurandu progat T; renovat sic tameq, ipi novici'
anq^m fendicat"" sciant psaltiu T; ea que de ficcitate sut scieda
T; qrtudecimu sue etatis coplevW T; residue tpis anni sue
pbacois de fco renucient expsse vt p^ supa. Ista diffinico
compilata fuat anno dni Miftimo ccc Ixxiij apud Cist I c° geh.

212 b. Revendo i x° pri ac dno dno E. di gra Exon Epo sui
hmiles T; devoti filij Abfes T; Convent9 Monas^ij Bukfestr ordis
Cisteciensis Exon dioc revencias tanto pri debitas cu honor
Revende patnitati vre. J, b. accolitu virum liberu T; legitm
boneq3 covsacois I honeste vre dioc psentam9 femili? sup-
plicates T; devote qtin9 eude. J. ad oms sacros ordies p
sac"~ru manuu vra^ iposicoem cari^P ituitu pmov'e digei.
On9 ac pmocois sive pvisois eiusd i nos T; successores nros
toatr suscipim9 vos aute successor^ vros I hac pte idepnes
co?var pmittim9 p pntes. In c9 rei testioi sigillu nr^ coe e
app.

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 135

APPENDIX (C).

SLOANE MSS. No. 513, fo. 213.

In visitacone facieda p° d) Abbas visitat pmunir visitand
sc'bendo s1 vl ej^ locu teneti de tee advet*1 sui ca visiis celebftde
Pu g1 die visiis anq^"" intret cam d) pmunir Abbm t ejl P'orem
dom^ T: p° intr eccm"" ad vigi39 vl ad p'mam ut filii sui s1
obedia? magf devote. Intfts g cam post Icom regie plecta
dicto ut mor c bndite sbjugat Carissi fres T; filii later vos no
d} ca instant advet^ nri qUi)!! pa? Abbas p4 sci?f s statuta
ordis tener annuati p se 1 p aliu singta Mos^?ia s1 imete
sbjecta visitar 1 ea q iveSit corigeda zelo di 1 ordis ta in
spualib} q"" in corpalib} emedar Ad h° g1 vei ut actu visiis
pficia i vobis dia g^tia dirigete T; q3 c ta form"" i hac pte
hein^ mutada io s""gat cator T; legat cora vobis Deifi pte"~
carta visiis 1 legar tuc plectf difHnib3 legedis dicat visitator.
Ecee tmi vos audista bona inforc^om nob a scis prib3 nris
t""dita q""bf nos 1 vos hen^ pced9e i pnti visitacoe nra T; 16
doe Abba debetf fres vros rogar pcipe T; moner ut ea q
corigeda no^int puplice 1 p'vati nob suggerant T; pponant 59
form"" cora nob lectam Postq,"" v° Abbas fec9it molcom sua
Dicat visitator T: nos autorite prna q"" fugimr i hac pte vob
oib} T; sin1 pcipim^ i hac pte i vrtute see obedie q^tin^ veiatf ad
nos puplice 1 p'vati B meli'1 indicavitf facied T; ondatf ea q
corigeda sut I mos tio i spualib} T; tepalib} ta i capite q"~ in
meb^ ptestamr q} vobis p pte nra q3 q'cq^1 nobis caritatie
suggestu fu;it 1 ex bono spu pati sum*1 id efficate emedar pl
Ds mistv^erit gt"^ia T: ipi*1 T: ordis honore aTarf vrarf salute
paceq} T; utilite} oniii i cor Tuc dicat visitator volum*1 p^ cam
visitar officia 'io vos officiales sitf in officiis vris T; vos Por
pvideatf de Frib} q1 vadat nobiscu T: ]fl nova hebitf pliametu
Insup durate visitacoe res^vam41 in man*1 nras pulsacom ad
p'ma T; ad cam ^i phibeni'1 ne a'o Mo^ch*1 de Monastic se
absentet sn licen"" nra spali T; q^ opus bonu incipe d} cu orone
ut fine meliore heat in effcu io ut pns act^ nre visi'8 meli11
pspe"" dice'' i p'n° veni cr spc pr nr ave et coltca Accones
nras Ic.

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

De comissar

Qn comissari01 visitat dicat loq"~mr de ordie nro dem sbjugat
Ki vos scitf ca} advet^ nri Venimus sv vocati sum'1 ad mo"'-
s?iu istud p comissiofh pris vri dm v} Abbis tiis loci s} I pin0
volu^ q> audiatf for"~m comissiois nfe q"~ ptca dicat comissar
Ecce socii vos audistf for""m isti^ comissiois admittitf ista
comisso} 1 nos § ej^ for^m q'b} annuetibus dicat comissari*1
srgat cator T; legat for"~m visiis Tx ut s"~ De relaxacoe pene
vi mitigano pnie Amice nos itellexim^ ob q""m ca} poit^ es i
pnia T; sic dcm e nob mito li° patis ad istancia tn Abbis tui T;
socorf tuorf remittim41 T, relaxam'1 peia} ista ia p de ceto te
emedes i q,,m po?is erga ordie} at} dm Qa die dca collacoe si
q"" fuit faciat psides postea pclamacoes f>t matia inveSit in
suo pJiameto T; alibi sup p'ore supp'ore cantor succetor ceile-
raris sbcellerar de spualib} T; tepalib} T; sup articles Qtetf in
scJpto visiis P'ore sic alloquens. Dne P'or tu es pclamat'1
p eo q, no fac f debitu officii tui c'ca ordie} obsvad Fres no
sedet in clautro festivis diebj T: aliis tepe Icois nee tu ad bom
exm aliorf h° facis ut deberes. Silenciu in 4 locis p'ncipalib}
no obsval^ nee T; in aliis locis T; tepib} debitf Tt pcipue ad
mesa. Fres no veniut ad ?viciu dnm T; horas canoicas in eccia
qtis sic deberet 8} aliq1 S} absentat sepi^ intendetes vagacoi T;
alii potacab} in ordina?f post copletorfh T: an remanet T; de
vigiliis T; de copletor nee ea psolvut in if'mitoris tepe debito
ut tenet1 No veniut ad qfom 6i septi"" nc celebrat missas suas
coir sic decet. Forma \ bi Bernardi pris nri i cantu T; Pdia
n5 obsvatf devote morose ac vivacir cantado S} nimis tepide
festinatC T; indevote copletf ^viciu dnm qa ^ceptu

S9vite dno i tior9 P9tea dne P'or deber9s ex offo tuo
excitar cantore in ecctia T; alics Qfres tuos ut dnu officiu cu
tior T: tremor inibi psolvant remissos sv negligetes i qa°
pclamar coriq9e T; emedar 8} ista no fac^ q'n vi11 dissitas in
pictm aie tue T; det'mentu no modicu religiois. Ilia que
dixim^ p'ori t1 T; supp^ri iponim'' q} no facedebitu tuu
Sic bis q"~ntu ad obs9vacias regtares i pp'a pa aut alieha q""r q1
delibar volum11 q, vobis p vra necligecia sit facied eatf sessu
us} in crastinu judiciu exspctantes. T'cia die dico a psidete
bndite expo"~q} regta sbjugat loq^m1" de ordie nro T; petita
veia a P'ore T; aliis pklie pclamatf dicat psedes Dne P^r
fhlta fuut t1 ipoita hest^na die hie i ca° un magna penia}
meruisti ex ordis rigor 83 mi'a moti volum^ ad f)u§ punico}
oio differ? sfe spe emedacois usq} ad pxia} visiez i q"' si
no inven;imc' debita emedacom i te T; in aliis n1 vobis
onder gro dece?o 1 favor S} costet vobis de cero s}

BUCKFAST ABBEY. 137

statuta ordis nri 003 rigore justicie q"~ vos volum^ obsvare 1
io faciatf oia T; sinla bfi emedari T; eatf sessum Tuc dicat tri
fres T; filii 9sid9ate atteci*1 T: videte q*lit pnte} visier nra}
pfecin*1 I vob 6i rigor ordis peit^ prmisso pponiin*1 n p nc
ofider vobis som gra} T; favoe movedo "I vitando ? q tin** dniu
officium devocoe debita psolvatf orom at} leccoi te^ibj debitf
insistat^ Abbi vro T; aliis sriorib} vris obediencia T; revencia
cxhibeat^ caritate trnitatis T: bonil pace Ivice obsvado debetis
insup vagaco} oioda evitar defcus vestros atq3 necligecias
emedar ut sc gra} vobis tcax in pnti visitacoe iveiam11 I pxio
advetu nro vos in vacuu nftate'1 recepisse Sup istf v° effica?
ob^vad Pori T: suppriori comittim9 vices nras ut facial ista
monicom nram ab oib} sbsvari. Nichil ad facied e ad Sus
lei n1 cu orone ut mor e visitaez nra} Piar'. Recomedam g
vobis 1 ofonib} vris statii T; imitate eccie un9it capud ipr
int'ucecu? dnm si} Sumu pont cu toto clero s1 iidetr
adherete ut sut cardenales Archiepi Epi Abbes P'or^s ceti}
rector^s ac cura aiarf tintes pcipue g recomedo oroib} vris
ord'ie} nrm Cistcii cu oib) plat T; sbdit^ I eod T; spalit domu
vra) Mrna Ex-aa pte recomedo oroib} vris pspitate T: pace toci'1
Xjanis§i T; spali? Reg 1 ppti Anglicani illust'ssimu p'ncipe
Dnm nrm rege Dfiaq} regina sesq3 incolas Dnos 1 coes h'1
?r T; pcipue 6s Fudatoi^s pat°nos T, bnfactores nri ordis i coi
3° recomedo oroib3 vris 6s fideles vivos T; defuctos T: spalit
aias dormieciu qui i prgatorio dina miaa pstolan"" ut det ift ds
requie T; giia3 sepitna.

Igitr aTe istorf T; aie patru nrorf matru fratu sororf 6niuq3
pentu T; bnfactorf ncno T; omn fideliu defuctorf p di mia} I
pace req^scat Vos ex pte Porf q1 estf sacerdot celebrabitis
\ q'li} vrm celebrabit una missa p defuctf T; qjli3 vrm q1 estis
ex pte Abfois una missa de ba vgine Maria Recomedam^ vos
do Ki mttu reg""ciant vobis de mora nra T: ilia pace q"~m ds
rcliquit suis disciptis tensions ex h° mudo ad pre3 vobis
poptam11 T; j>ax di q exsupat 063 ssm exultet I cordib3 vris
custodies corda vra \ inteligecias vras nri si placeat Tt con-
vent*1 nri i vris oronib} cotidie memoratf Et ad dm sitf filii I
Fres ki T; bndicco Di oipotetf pris T, f. T; s. s. descedat "\
maneat sup vos in e?num amen.

Q. Ricardus Dove Monachus T; scolaris de Bukfast — R. D.
M. de B.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON,

NEWENHAM.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.
NEWENHAM,

199. This Abbey was situated in the parish of Axminster,
at a short distance from the town. Founded by William de
Mohun in 1245, the site of the Abbey was blessed, and the
cemetery consecrated in the course of the following year.

200. It is not my intention to write the history of this
house. This has been already done by the late Mr. James
Davidson, in a manner which leaves little further to be said,
and to his Memoir I would refer my readers.* I intend only to
print some unpublished documents relating to the Abbey and
to certain proceedings of its inmates hitherto unknown.

201. The second Abbot was Henry de Persolte, and in
the first year of his abbacy a purchase of part of Shapwick
was made of Henry de Burton and MabilJa his wife for a
money consideration, the convent yielding in addition an-
nually, on the. Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, a
pair of white gloves. I give the original of the agreement
entered into at Exeter on the Morrow of the Ascension, 1249.
The payment appears to have been thirty marks, not thirty-
five, as mentioned by Davidson, p. 158.

Hec est final concordia fca In Cur dni RegC apud Exon In
C^stino Ascensioni s Dni Anno regni Regf Henr fit Regf Joft
Tricesimo ?cio Cora Rog'o de Thurkelby Gilfeto de Preston
Magro Sim de Wauton T; Jofte de Cobbeti Justic Itiflant 1
aliis dni Regf fidet tuc ibi p^sentib} In? Henr Abbem de
Newenh quer \ Henr de Burton T; Mabii vx ei9 imped de vna
Caruc ?re T; dimict cu ptiri in Shepwykf . Unde plac War
carte sum fuit in? eos in ead: Cur Scil? qd p\lci Henr Tt Mabit
rec f?dcam ?ra cu ptin esse ius ipius Abbis T; Ecctie sue de
Neweham vt ilia q m Id Abfes 1 eccta sua pdca hnt de dono

* The History of Newenham Abbey, in the County of Devon, by James
Davidson. London and Exeter. 1843.

140 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

pdcor^ Henr 1 Mabii. Habenf 1 tenendf eid Abfci 1 succ
suis T; ecciie sue p^dce de pdcis Henr T; Mabii T, tied ipius Mabii
impp Reddendo inde panfi vnu par albars Cyrothecar^ ad
Natitate sci Joft Bapte p omi ?uico T: exaccone. Et pdci
Henr T; Mabii T; hed ipius Mabii War ^dco Abfci T; succ suis
T; ecetie sue pdce jJdcam tram cu ptin p pdcm suic cont"~
omes rioies impp. Et p he rec war fine T; concordia Idem
Abbs dedit pdcis Henr T: Mabii Triginta M"~rcas argnti.

Feet of Fines, Devon. Henry III. No. 446.

202. The next is the abridgment of John Prince (the
author of " The Worthies of Devon," who was born in the
house at Newenham Abbey,) of the account of the ceremonies
attending the laying the foundation stone of the church.
Prince heads his abstracts, —

[Cartce sequentes ob nimia prolixitate abreviunter p J. P.]

A° gratie 1254 Idus Septem. positus est primus Lapis
super Fundamentu Ecie Bte Marie de Nyweham a veneu viro
Drio Keginaldo de Moun Fundatore ejusd abbathie ; qui etia
tres Petras posuit, cruce signatas ; et quartam petram posuit
Dnus Wittmus de Moun frater dicti Reginaldi ; Quinta petra
posuit Dnus Wymondus de Ralegh miles ; et in secundo
Anno postea Dnus de Smaleridge. Posite sunt he quinque
petre in honor e ste Trinitat et bte Marie Virgin is et oium
Sanctoru, pesen? tune Dno Henrico tune Abbate et omni
Conventu.— (Add. MSS. 28,649, p. 370.)

203. The date given in the following copy of the deed of
Reginald de Mohun, directing that his body should be buried
before the high altar in the Abbey Church of Newenham, is
different from that in the copy referred to by Davidson, and
it appears to vary in other particulars. — See Davidson, p. 35.

Oibus ste Matris Ecie filijs &c. Regin de Moun Miles Dnus
de Dunsterre Salut in Dno Sempiter. Affectione qua nos
Novetis versus Monasteriu de Nyweham Exon Dioceg quia
uostra existit fundat Afetem et Monachos Ord. Cist, ibide
Deo et Gloriose virg Marie famulantibus ex devotione gerimus

{Jsentibus, declaramus, volentes Corpus nostru, cu ab eod

Anima fuerit separata, in Ecta de Nyweha ante majus altare
honorifice sepeliend legamus, et insuper expresse concedentes
qd ubicuqj et quocunq> decesserim preterqua in Terra sancta
p Heredes [vel] Alios Amicos Execut nostros Corpus firum
apud Nyweham Sepeliend deferatur. alioqui liceat memorato
Abti et Monachis qui p tempore in dicto Monasterio exi stunt

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 141

corpus nrum p se vel p certos mmtios ad hoc specialiter
Deputatos requirere et apud Nyweha deferre, vt p aliquos
Amicoru rirorum alibi (qd absit) humatu esset. In cujus rei
testimon Sigillu meum apposuimus. Hijs Test Dno Wifto de
Moun, Wimondo de Ralegh, Gervasio de Horton tune vicecom
Devon, Johe Arondell, Warino de Ralegh Militibus; Wifto
de Bray, Reginald© de Bath, Gilb. de Castello, Rado de
Monte Sorell, Rico de Membyry, Ada Hunt et alijs. Dat
apud Dunstor iiij Kal. Jul. A° D. 1255.— Ibid. p. 423.

204. The record of the death of the founder follows : —

A°. D1. 1257. 13 Kal. Feb. die Dominica in festo storu
Fabiani et Sebastiani Reginaldus de Moun Dnus de Dun-
storre et Fundator Abbathie de Nyweham via universe Carnis
ingressus est apud Torr in Com Devon. — Ibid. p. 371.

205. The kindness of Mr. J. M. Davidson, the son of the
historian of Newenham, enables me to print a complete copy
of the monkish rhymes in praise of Bishop Bronescombe
with the original Latin extended.

Plus de viro referam
Qualiter et Nyweham
Fovet et decorat

Prout vobis dicere

Possum necnon pandere
Plurimum honorat.

Ibi multum laboravit

Et thesauros erogavit

Eorum laboribus

Quod nunc patet et patebit
Gaudet homo que gaudebit

Futuris teinporibus.

Primo sex altaria
Per sua donaria
Ibidem levavit

Qua? de Dei giatia

Manu sua propria
Post et dedicavit.

Ex his autem senis aris
Pars habet aquilonarie
Ternas iu basilica.

Quorum sancto Gabriel!

Cunctis angelisque cseli
Dedicatur unica.
U2

142 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Thomas magistri secunda
Cujus luxit vita munda
Cunctisque martyribus

Qui vi crucis triumphalis
Caput hortis infernalis
Trivarunt sub pedibus.

Sanctae quoque Katerinas

Et virginibusque sine

Virili concubitu

Ara tertia sancitur
Illis eis et largitur

Laus devoto spiritu.

Aliae quidem tres arae

Lataa nunc ad angulare

Locis stant dividuis

Quarum prima dedicatur
Johanni qui plus amatur

In Dei discipulis.

Lucaa, sanctoque Matthaeo,
, Et ei quern signat leo,

Cunctis et apostolis,

Quos gens Christiana legis
Jussis pcena summi Regis

Habet pro didasculis.

Annae secundaque pias,
Matri scilicet Maria?,
Sanctisque conjugibus

Qui per nuptialem vitam
Aulam coeli concupitam
Habent pro laboribus.

In honore Nicholai
Preca leni qui vult trahi
Ad opem merentium

Omniumque confessorum
Qui fragrarunt in amorem
Stat altare tertium.

Multa post hsec fecit ibi,

O tu lector, quae non tibi

Modo recitantur ;

Dicant hi de Nyweham
Qui per Dei gratiam

Inde jam lastantur.

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 143

Igitur vos Sancti Dei
Subvenite, precor, ei
Implorantes veniam

Qui nos tantus sit honore

Et pro Christo sic labcre
In domo de Nyweham.

Hinc vos qui de Nyweham
Estis Tit memoriam
Prsesulis habendo

Deprecor ne taceat

Vox laudis sed valeat
Gratias agendo.

Orantes cum credulis
Pro salute praesulis
Vos qui via honorat

Germiuat ut lilium

Ante Dei filium
Pro quo sic laborat.

Pro Waltero confessore
Mentis visu cordis ore
Rogatis, carissimi.

Ut in die mortis dirae

Hunc dignetur custodire
Filius altissimi. Amen.

206. The following is the agreement with William de
Slaunton, permitting the monks to take stone from his quarry
of Staunton, which was situated, it is stated, between the
quarry of the monks of Ford and the grantor's arable land.

Oibus xu fid psefi Scrip? visur vel Auditur Wifts fit Wifti de
Stauton mit salut. Novetis me dedisse et concesS Deo et bte
Marie et fabrice Ecte in honore eorund apud Nyweham incepte
et Monachis ejusd Loci una Acram de Quarrarea mea de Staun-
ton jacente inter Quarraria Monachoru de Forda et ?ram
mea arabilem, et se extendenl ab oriente Longitudine 16
pticaru, et in Latitud versus Austru 8 pticaru et adeo pro-
funde sicut melius videretur expedire. Concessi etia p me
dictis Monachis et ministris qd hab Liberu et idoneu ingress
et egress p terram meam cu Carro et Carreta ad petru Ca-
riand &c. Pro hac aute donatione et concessione dedere mihi
Abbas et Convent de Nyweham septe marcas sterling prema-
nibus &c. In cujus rei testim pesenti Scripto sigillu meu
apposui. Testibus Dno Henr de Aulton, Dno Andrea Rec-

144 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

tore Ecte de Staunton Robto de Staunton Ire ejus Rogpo de
La Breche, Dno Hug tune Priore de Newham et alijs. Dat
mense Apr A°. D>. 1279.— (Add. MSS. 28,649, p. 370.)

207. The next document is of some interest. It is the
record of a dispute between the Abbot of St. Michael's
Mount, — not the Cornish, but the French Abbey, that of
St. Michael "inpericulo Maris" — and the Abbot of Newen-
ham, as to rendering " secta " in respect of land in the manor
of Yarcombe in the hundred of Axminster. The verdict of
the jury was in favour of the French abbot. William de
Saham, one of the justices itinerant, was a judge of the Court
of King's Bench. William de Giselham, whose name often
appears in the legal records, was the King's advocate, the
names of Attorney and Solicitor-General not having been
adopted until the reign of Edward IV. In 1229 Giselham
was appointed one of the Judges of the Common Pleas.*

Ptita de Juratis T; Assisis Coram Salarh de Roffi T; Sociis
suis Justiciar Iti&antib} Apud Exon In Coin Devon In
Octab Sci Martini Anno Regni Keg Edwardi fit Reg Henr
Nono Incipiente Decimo. Boylund.

jf Abbas sci Michis in picto mar sum fuit ad respond Abbi
de Neweham de ptito qd fac sectam ad hundrm suum de Ax-
menystre qam ad illud fac?e debet T;c Et unde dicit qd quidam
Galfrs pdec suus fuit ses de pdca secta p man cuj9dam
Thurstani Abfeis de Monte sci Michis in picto mar |>dec pdci
Abbis de MaSio de Yartekumbe ut de tribus sept in tres sep?
ut de feodo T; Jure tpe pacis tpe Dni H Reg pats Dni Reg
nuc capiendo inde explec ad valenc T;c Et qd tale sit Jus 'tc
off^t Et Abbas p Atorn suu ven Et defend Jus suu T; seisiam
pdci Gallri p^dec T:c Et totu T:c. Et pon se in magnam assiam
Dni Reg- Et pe? rec fieri utm ipe maj9 Jus ht tenendi
pdcm mariliu suu de Yartekumbe absq^ hoc qd aliq^m s^am ei
faciat p eodm ad hundredu ^dci Abfeis de Axemenystre sic
tenet An idm Abbas de Neweham fendi p^dcam sectam de
t J bus sep?s in tres sepfis T;c. Et oft^t Dno Regi dimid marc
p tmda mcoe de ?pe Et Recipif T;c. Et Wilts de Radlegh".
Rads de Done. Rics CofFyn \ Rics de Hydon qatuor milites
ven T; eligut istos scitt Ricm de Hydon. Wiltm de Radlegh.
Rad:m de Done Ricm CofFyn Hugone de Radlegh Wiltm
de Albemarle. Henr de Radlegh Jofcem de Valle Torta
de Clist Witm Punchardon. Radm fit Rici Warinum de
sicca vill Jofeem Punchardon Michem Trenchard Return

* Foss, Judges of England, p. 301.

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 145

fit Pagani Jofim de Umftnivyt T; "Wittm le Prouz, qui dnt
sup sacrm suu qd pddus Abbas de Monte sci Michis in picto
mar maj9 Jus ht tenendi pdcm maSiu de Yattecombe absq,
pdca secta faciend ad hundrm pdci Abfcis de Axemynstre
de tribus septis in tres septifh sic tenet q.a pdcs Abbas de
Neweham hndi pdcam sectam ad hundrm suu pdcm de ?bus
sept in tres sept Et I^o cong est qd Abbas de Monte sci
Micnis in picto mar *\ succ sui teneat pdcm MaSiu de Yatte-
combe absq, pdca secta faciend ad hundrm pdcm q'ete de
p'dco Abbe de Neweham T; succ suis inppet Et Abbas de
Neweham in mia Et Witts de Gyselham appon clam p dno
Bege.

M_
Assize Roll Devon 1 1 Memb: 13-d.

3T

208. In 1301-2 at the Cornish Assize at Launceston the
Abbot was called upon to show by what authority he claimed
to hold the hundred and bailiwick of Stratton. This is re-
ferred to by Davidson, and I give the original entry from the
Assize Roll.

Placita de Jar T; assig • * apud Lanceneton In Com Cor-
nut» In Octab sci Micfeis Anno regni Regis Edwardi filij
Regis Henr Tricesimo.

|f Abbas de Niwenham sum fuit ad respond dno Regi quo
waranto clamat hre hundredum T; ballivam defeodo sine aliquo
dando de hundredo de Stratton. Et Abbs per attorn suu
ven Et dicit qd ipe 1 eius pdecessores sui a tempore quo no
exstat memoria habuerunt pdcam ballivam T; ea vsi fuerQt
hucusque absq, aliqua interrupcoe. Et de hoc ponit se super
patriam. Et Joh de Mutf * simitr In hundro nichil clamat.
Ideo refn Regi. Jur quo ad ballivam pdcam dicunt sup
sacrm suu qd pdcus Abbas 1 omes predec sui a tempe fun-
dacois Abbathie sue pdce T; omes alij qui MaSium de Norton
tenuerunt ante fundacoem pdcam huerunt ballivam pdcam
T:c Ideo pdcus Abbas inde sine die salvo T;c.

M

Assize Roll. _!_ l.m. 37.
21

209. The next, from the De Banco Roll, date 1317, refers
* Joh'nes de Mutford, in other Pleas — qui sequitur pro Rege.

146 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

to a claim by the Abbey against William Gel, chaplain, for
the payment of £20 due from him.

Piita apud Westin coram Witts de Beresford 1 sociis suis
Justic Dfii Reg de Banco Termino Pascft anno regni Regis
E. filii Regis E. decimo.

De tribus septim Pascft.

jf Essofi Atfctis de Nywynham op. se iiij. die versus Wifto
Gel Capellanu de ptito qd reddat ei viginti libr quas ei debet
T; injuste detinet Tx Et ipe no ven Et pceptu fuit vie qd sum
eu Ic Et vie nicft inde fecit set mand qd nicft ftet Tx Et
testatu est hie qd satis ftet in eode Com tuo T;c T o sicut pus
f)ceptu est vie qd sum eu qd sit hie a die Sci Micftis in xv
dies lc. De Banco Roll, Easter, 10 Edw. II.

210. The next, 20 Edw. II. from the Pole Collections,
refers to the gift of the Tyntens, of lands in Shapwick to the
Abbey. See Davidson, p. 71.

Oibus Xti fidel. &c. Frater Joftes de Tynten Abbas de
Neweham et ejus Loci conven? ex una pte et Alicia de
Tynten Dna de Colury (?) et Joftes Tynten mit fil. ejus ex
al? pte de terris in Shapwick in Man de Axmister D. Dat.
A. R. R. E. fil. R. E. 20, p. 56. Add. MSS. (B. M.) p. 381.

211. I give the next to preserve the names of the parties
and of the witnesses. It is from the same source as the last.
The Abbot is Walter de la Houe, the sixteenth abbot.

Sciant &c. qd Ego Henricus de la Ford persona Eccles. de
Meriet* dedi &c. Jofti de Carru mil. omnes ter meas quas habui
in La Moore in pochia de Loueputt. In cujus test. &c. Sigillu
meu apposui Test. Dno Wai? Abfce de Newham Jofte Franceis
Wifto Uphey Jofte de Greneway Da? apud Nyweham 27
E. 3.— Ibid. p. 381.

212. The next entry, from the De Banco Roll, relates to
proceedings taken against Thomas Morton, a defaulting col-
lector of the Abbey, who did not appear, and against whom
judgment was given.

Waltus atte Hone Abbas de Nyweh"~m p Wiltm de Elle-
worth at? suu op. se iiij. die vWs Thorn de Morton de ptito
qd reddat ei ronabilem compotu suu de tempe quo fuit recep-
tor denar ipius Abfcis T; Joftis de Gaytyngton nup Abfeis de
Nyweham pdecessoris ^dci Abbis T,c Et ipe no ven Et peec

* Probably Merriott, co. Somerset.

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 14?

fuit vie q distr euT:c Et vie modo maud qd rich feet^c I9o
prec est vie qd cap eu ~tc Et salus T;c Ita qd heat corpus
eius hie in Octab see Trinitat p Justic *\c Et vn Ic Ad que
die vie no misit bre lo sic p'us prec est vie qd cap eu si Tx Et
saluo 1c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie in Octab sci Michis p
Justic Ic. — De Banco Roll, Easter, 17 Edw. III. memb. 18 d.

213. A Mayor of Exeter is mentioned in the following
entry relating to another debtor.

Preceptu fuit vie qd corpus Henr de Lacy de com suo
si laic us esset capet et in p!sona Regf saluo custodiri fac donee
Abbi de Nyweham de q'ndecim libr plene satisfac quas pdcus
Henr p'mo die ffebruar anno regni dfii Regf niic Angt q'nto-
decimo cora Henr de Hugheton nup maiore ciuitat Exofi T:
Robto de Lucy tuc ciico ad recogfi debitor^ apud Exon acci-
piend deputat recogfi se debere pfclco Abbi et quas ei soluisse
debuit ad fm sci Michis Archangeli tuc px sequen et eas ei
nodule Etqualit T:c scire fac hie ad hue die scil? a die Pasche
in xv dies T;c Et vie modo mand qd cepit corpus pdci Henr 1
illud saluo T; secur custod fae scdm tenore bris Ic Iso ^dcus
Abbas heat inde bre p statut T;c Et qualit T:c vie scire fac hie
in Octab sci Michis rlc Et vn T;c. — Ibid. memb. 49.

214. Walter Bourdenile had neglected to furnish a proper
account, and .proceedings were taken against him.

Waltus Abbas de Nyweham p Wiftm de Elleworth at? suu
op. se iiij. die v'sus Waltm Bourdenyle de ptito qd i-edd ei
ronabile compotu suu de tempe quo fuit receptor denar Johis
nup Abbis de Nyweham pdecessoris ipius Walti nuc Abbis de
Ny weham T;c Et ipe no ven Et prec fuit vie qd cap eu T:c Et
vie modo mand qd no est inuentr Ic I9o sic p!us prec est vie
qd cap eu si T;c Et saluo T:c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie a die
see Tnitatis in xv dies p Justic Tx Et vie sit T;c. — Ibid. memb.
161 d.

215. Thomas Morton turns up again the following year
[see 212], and Robert Cayphas was called upon to answer for
the like neglects as Morton.

Walrus atte Hone Abbas de Nyweham p Wiltm de Elle-
worth att suu op. se iiij die v'sus Thorn de Morton de ptito qd
redd ei ronabilem compotu suu de tempe quo fuit receptor
denar ipius Abbis T; Johis de Gaytyngton nup Abbis de
Nyweham pdecessor? pdci Abbis lc. Et ipe no ven pc fuit vie
qd cap eum si Ic. Et vie modo mand qd no est inuent9 Ic ^o

x

148 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

sicut prius |)c est vie qd cap eu si Ic. Et saluo T:c Ita qd tieat
corpus eius hie in Octab sci Michis Ic. — Ibid. Easter, 18
Edw. III. memb. 46.

Walrus Abbas de Nyweham p Wiltm de Elleworth att suu
op. se iiij. die vWs Rob?m Cayphas de plito qd reddat ei
ronabile compotu suu de tempe quo fuit receptor denar ipius
Abbis 1c Et ipe no ven Et prec fuit vie qd capet eu "tc Et vie
modo mand qd no est inuentus ^tc I9o sic p'us prec est vie qd
cap eu si T;c Et saluo T;c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie a die sei
Michis in xv dies 1c Et vie sicle. — Ibid. memb. 134.

216. William Abraham, in 1343, was charged with stealing
hay and rushes, and committing other depredations, and did
not appear to defend himself.

Abbas de Nyweham p Wiltm de Elleworth ail suu op. se
iiij. die vsus Wiltm Abraham de ptito q"~re vi T; armis clauS
ipius Abbis apud Axemynstre fregit T; fenu T; ruscos ad valenc
quadrag lib? ibidem inuenta cepit T; asptauit 1 alia enormia ei
intulit ad gaue dampnu ipius Abbis T; oonta pace T:c Et ipe no
ven Et sic prius prec fuit vie qd cap eu °lc Et vie modo mand
qdno est inuent9 T;c fo sic plur prec est vie qd cap eu si T;c
Et saluo T:c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie in Octabis sci Michis
1c Et vie sic T;c. — Ibid. memb. 46 d.

217. The next is a complaint against the Convent. John
at Sloo asserts that the Abbot and John Sangere had deprived
him of forty sheep, of the value of one hundred shillings.

Ad hue de Octab sci Hillar.

jf Johes atte Sloo op se iiijto die vsus Waltm Abbfrn de
Nyweham T; Johem Sangere de ptito quare vi T; armis qua-
draginta oves ipius Johis atte Sloo precij Centu solidor^ apud
Kouerigge inventas ceperunt T; abduxerunt T; alia enormia ei
intulerut ad grave dampnu ipius Johis atte Sloo T; conta pacem
RegT:c Et ipi non ven Et prec fuit vie qd distr eosT:c Et vie
modo mand qd jpdcus Abbas distr p cat ad valenc duoden
denar Et in p Johem Scot et Henr Dare I9o ipi in rhia Et
sicut prius prec est vie qd distr eu p orhes ?ras T;c Et qd de
exit T;c Et qd heat corpus eius hie a die Pasche in xv dies p
Justic T;c Et de pdco Johe Sangere mand vie qd nichil net T;c
I^o prec est vie qd capiat eu si Ic Et salvo T:c Ita qd neat
corpus eius hie ad pfatu tmifi Ic Et vn T;c. — De Banco Roll,
Hilary, 26 Edw. III. m. 21.

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 149

218. In the next the grievance is somewhat similar, but
the Abbot is plaintiff, not defendant.

|f Abbas de Nyweham p Joftem de Cruk att suu op. se iiijto
die vsus Rogm de Cabus de Lym de ptito quare vi T; armis
ducentos multones ipius Abfetis precij vigiuti libra apud
Swapwyk inventos cepit T; abduxit * alia enormia ei intulit ad
grave danipnu ipius Abbtis T; conta pacem Reg T;c Et ipe non
ven Et sicut pluf prec fuit vie qd capet eT; si T;c Et salvo ~tc
Ita qd heret corpus eius hie ad hunc diem scift in octabis sci
hillar T:c Et vie modo mand qd non est inventus T;c uec aliquid
het T;c I9o prec est vie qd exigi fac eu de Com in Com
quousq, scdm legem 1 cons T:c vtlageta si non compujit Et si
T:c tuc eu cap T; salvo T;c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie in Octabis
sci Michis-lc Et vnde T;c. — Ibid. m. 41.

219. Here William Gilemyn is a defaulter in his accounts,
and does not appear to justify himself.

|f Johes Abbas de Nyweham p Johem de Chudd att suu
op. se iiij. die versus Wilhn Gilemyn de ptito qd reddat ei
ronabile compotu suu de tempe quo fuit receptor denar
Robti de Pebbesbury quoda Abbatis de Niweham ^decessoris
psdci Johis Abfetis T:c Et ipse no venit et fuit attach p Withn
de Trenant T; Ricm de Trenant 10 ipi in inia Et ^cept est
vie qd distr eum p oines terr Ic Et qd de exitt T;c Et qd
heat corpus eius hie In Octabis sci hillar 'tc — Ibid. m. 33.

220. William de Stamford, the executor of the will of
Simon of Farham, sues the Abbot on behalf of himself and
his co-executors for £12 stated to be due from the former to
the estate.

|f Witts de Staunforcl exec testi Simonis de ffarnam p
Thorn Pat att suu op. se iiijto die vsus Abfeem de Nywenham
de ptito qd reddat ei T; Johi Descures Racto de Bereford: T;
Witto Dunmuire coexec pdci Witti de Staunford duodecim
lib? quas ei iniuste detinet ^tc Et ipe non ven Et huit diem
nuc hie posstq"~m compuit in Cur hie T; cepit inde diem pee
pciu lc lo prec est vie qd distr eum p oes ?r T;c Et qd
neat corp^ ei^ hie in octabis Pur fee Marie T;c. Et quia
pdci Johes Radus T; Witts Dunmuire ad pxm diem compuerut
hie T; modo non secuntur T:c lo pdcus Witts de Staunford
sequata sine T;c — Ibid. m. 337.

221. The next refers to another defaulting collector of some
of the revenues of the Abbey.

x2

150 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

jf Abbas de Neuwenham p Johem de Chuddelegh att suu
op. se iiijto die vsus Walttam de Burdevill de piito qd redd ei
ronabilem compotu suu de tempe quo fuit receptor denarior^
ipius Abbtis T:c Et ipe non ven Et sicut plur distr p ca't ad
valenc duorp solido^ Et Man p Waltm de Bodget 1* Johem
de Kerle Io ipi in fnia Et sicut plur pceptu est sic qd distr p
omes ?r Tx Et qd de exit T:c Et qd heat corpus eius hie a
die Pasche in xv dies 'tc Et vicn sit T;c — Idem. m. 263 d.

222, In 1366-7 Richard Branescombe, the Abbot, com-
menced proceedings against several persons for entering his
land at Newenham and cutting down and carrying away trees
of the value of £20, and against William Constance for
cutting down growing trees at Clocombe [ Valor Clokham]
and digging stone at Foxhole.

jf Abbas de Nywenham p Johem Prestecote at? suu op. se
iiijto die vsus Robm Strange Johem ffowel Johem Alhot
Waltm West Wiilm Bertelot Wiftm Conyng senior Margiam
Hayward Marg'iam Belle Johem South Rogm Diegher Wiftm
Hembury Jun Wiftm Hembury senior Johem Dulymere
Wiftm Purs ad Pratenesse Johem Toterigge T; Waltm
Toterigge de piito quare ipi simul cu Wifto Constance vi T;
armis clausu ipius Abbis apud Nywenham Park fregunt Tt
arbores suas ad valenc viginti libra^ ibidem imp crescen?
succiderunt T; asportaverunt T; alia enormia ei intulerunt ad
gave dampnu ipius Abbis T; contra pacem Reg T;c Et ipi non
ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd capet eos si T:c Et salvo T:c
Ita qd fteret corpa eo^ hie ad hunc diem scitt a die sci hillar
in xv dies Tx Et vie modo mand qd non sunt invent Tc 16
prec est vie qd eos de Com in Com quosq^ T;c omes pter pdce
Marg'ia T; Marg*ia vtlagentsa T; pMce Marg'ia T; Marg'ia wai-
vientas si non Ic Et si T:c tune eos capiat Et salvo Tx Ita
qd heat corpa eoi hie a die sci Michis in xv dies Et vn T:c —
Ibid. 41 Edw. III. Hilary, m. 198.

jf Abbas de Newenham p Johem Prestecote att suu op. se
iiijto die v'sus Wiftm Constance de ptito quare vi T; armis
clausu ipius Abbi^s *apud Clocombe freg T; arbores suas ibidem
nup crescentes succidit T; in quarrera sua apud ffoxhull fodit
T; petras inde prectas ac arbores pdcas ad Valencia decem
libra^ cepit T; asportavit T; alia enormia T;c Et ipe non ven
Et pc fuit vie qd distr eu T;c Et vie modo mand: qd nichil het
T:c Io pc est vie qd capiat eu si T;c Et salvo T;c Ita qd heat
corpus eius hie a die Pasche in vnu Mensem p Justic T;c. —
Ibid. m. 232 d.

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 151

223. In 1394, the Abbot, John Leggas, sued William, the
Vicar of Axminster, for intruding upon his free warren at
Axminster without licence, and taking fish, hares, rabbits,
pheasants, and partridges.

|f Abbas de Newenham p att suu op. se iiij10 die vsus
"Wiftm vicar ecctie de Axmynstre Wiftm fit Johis Toker de
Cleyhill T; Johem Blakeford de ptito quare vi T: armis libam
warenna ipius Abbis apud Axmynstre intraver 1 in ea sine
licencia T; voluntate sua fugaver T; in sepali piscaria sua ibid
piscati fuer T; pisce inde ad Valencia viginti libra^ ac lepores
cuniclos phasianos '"Ipdrices de warenna pdca cepunt T; aspor-
taver T; alia enormia Tx 1 conta pacem Regis T;c Et ipi non
ven Et prec fuit vie qd attach eos Et vie modo mand qd
nichil hent Io prec est vie qd capiat eos si T:c Ita qd heat
corpora eo& hie a die Pasche in xv dies T;c ad quern diem vie
non mi§ bre Io sicut prius capiantas qd sint hie in Octab sci
Michis.— De Banco Roll 18 Ric. II. Hilary m. 46d.

224. The following are records of similar proceedings to
those already mentioned : —

jf Abbas de Newenham p Johem Dennyng att suu op. es
iiijto die vsus Rog'um Carter ciicum de ptito quare vi T; armis
clausu ipius Abbis apud Newenham fregit et arbores suas
ibm nup crescentes ad valenc decem libra^ succidit T; aspor-
tavit T; blada T; herbam sua ibidem nup crescencia ad valenc
Centu solidox cu quibusda avijs depastus fuit conculcavit T;
consumpsitT: alia enormia T;c ad grave dampnu T;c et conta
pacem Regis T;c Et ipe non ven Et prec fuit vie qd: capet eu
Et vie modo mand qd non est inventus T:c Io sicut prius prec
est vie qd capiat eu si T;c Et salvo T;c Ita qd heat corpus eius
hie a die Pasche in tres septimanas T;c. — Ibid. M. 202d.

jf Wifts Lange de Axmynstre p Thomam Brokhampton att
suu op. se iiijto die v'sus Abbm de Newenham de ptito qd
redda? ei decem libras Et vsus Johem Ryde de Colyforct de
ptito qd reddat ei centum solidos quos ei debent T; iniuste
detinent T;c Et ipi non ven Et sum ""Ic Judm attach qd sint
hie a die Pasche in tres septimanas Ic. — Ibid. m. 217d.

225. The next appears to be a record of the fresh proceed-
ings in the protracted litigation between Thomas Carew, on
the death of Robert Grymeston in 1401, and the Convent, with
respect to the right of presentation to the Church of Luppit.
See Davidson, p. 75 et seg.

152 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

jf Thomas Carreu Chivaler p attorn suu op se 111)*° die
vWs Johem Abfoem de Nyweham T; Vincencium atte Hille
Capeftm de ptito qd pmittant ipm presentare idoneam psonam
ad ecciiam de Lovepitte que vacat T; ad suam spectat dona-
coem T;c Et ipi non ven Et huerunt inde diem p essofi suos
hie vsq, ad hunc diem T:c 16 prec est vie qd distr eos p ornes
?ras T;c Et quod heat corpa eox hie in Octafe sci Michis T;c. —
De Banco Roll 1 Henry IV. Trinity, m. 7 Id.

226. The following year we have some further entries. In
the second Thomas Carew is still pursuing his action against
the Convent. His proceedings were ultimately unsuccessful.

jf Jacobus Chuddelegh Miles p attorn suu op. se iiijto die
vsus Ricm Abfeem de Dunkeswell T; Johem Abfeem de Ny-
wenham de pHto qd v?q.7 eo£ reddat ei viginti libras quas ei
debet T; iniuste detinet T;c Et ipe non ven Et prec fuit vie
qd Attach eos T:c Et vie modo mand quod v^q, eoa Attach
est p Johem Holme 1 Thomam fForster Io ipi in mia T;c
Et prec est vie qd distr eos p omnes tras T;c Et qd de exi?
T;c Et qd heat corpa eox hie A de sci Michis in xv dies T^c —
De Banco Roll, 2 Henry IV. Trinity, m. 176d.

jf Jura in? Thomam Carreu Chivaler quer T; Johem Abbem
de Nyweham de piito quare impedit ponit"" in respcm hie
viscjj a die sci Michis in xv dies Nisi Justic chii Regis ad
assias in Com pdco capiend: assign p formam statuti Ic die
veSis px post fm Sci Jacobi Apli apud Exofi prius venJint p
defcu Jur quia nult ven Io vie heat corpa T;c. — Ibid. m.
3l9d.

227. An account of a daring deed is preserved in the next
extract from the De Banco Roll. Thomas Usher and others
appear to have taken the Abbot, Leonard Houndalre, prisoner
and carried him from Newenham to Bykele, and also detained
his goods and chattels to the value of £40. The defendants
did not put in an appearance.

jf Abbas de Nywenham p attorn suu op. se iiijto die vsus
Thorn Ussher Ricm Tryst \ Radin Paym de Colmpton de
ptito quare ipi siml cu Johe Prentys de Honyton Reginaldo
Baker de Bradenynche T; Johe Vautard de Clyst vi T; armis
ipm Abfetem apud Nywenham ceperunt T; ipm abinde usqj
Bykele duxerunt T; ipm imprisonaverunt T; male tractaverunt
T; ipm sic in prisona ifem^ quousqj idem Abbas finem p decem
libras p delibacone sua henda cu pfa? Thoma Rico Rado
Johe Reginaldo "I Johe fecisset detinuerunt 1 bona T; catalla

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 153

sua ad valenc quadraginta libra^ apud pdcam villain de
Nywenham. inventa ceperunt 1 asportaverunt Et alia enor-
mia T;c ad g"~ve dampnu T;c Et conta pacem Regf lc Et
ipi non ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd capet eos Tx Et
vie modo mand qd non sunt inventi ~tc Io sicut plur capianf
Ita qd sint hie a die sci Michis in xv dies p justic T;c. — De
Banco Roll, 5 Henry IV. Trinity, m. 307.

228. The following relate to other legal proceedings, and
sufficiently describe themselves. The third shows that the
Abbot was a receiver for the Prince of Wales, probably of
the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall.

j|" Abbas de Nywenham p attorn suu op. se iiijto die vsus
Ricm Trist de plito quare cum de [coi consilio regni Reg
Angt pvisum sit qd non liceat alicui vastum vendicoem seu
destruccoem face de tris domib} boscis seu gardinis sibi
dimissis ad ?min vite vel annoa idem Ricus de domib} boscis
T; gardinis in Tuddeheys que Ricus Excestre nup Abbas de
Nywenham pdecessor pdci nunc Abbis pYato Rico dimisit ad
tmin annoi fecit vastum vendicoem T; destruccoem ad ex-
hedac<j^m ecclie ipius Abbtis 4fee Marie de Nywenham T; cont""
forma pvisionis pdce Et ip'e non ven Et attach est p Johem
Mey T; Ricm Mason I'o ipi in mia Et prec est vie qd distr
eu p omes foas T;c Et qd de exit T;c Et qd heat corpus eius
hie a die sci Micnis in vnu Mensem T;c. — De Banco Roll,
8 Hen. IV. Trinity, m. 79.

ff Jones Palmer de Brydport p attorn suu op. se iiijto die
vsus Leonardu Abbem de Newenham de ptito quod reddat ei
quadraginta solidos Et vsus Aliciam que fuit vx Johis Cole
de Southmoltofi de ptito qd reddat ei decem marcas Et vsus
Stephm Burdescombe de ptito qd reddat ei quadraginta soli-
dos quos ei debent T; iniuste detinent Et ipi non ven Et
prec fuit vie qd sum eos rlc Et vie mand qd pdcus Abbas
sum est Judm attach qd sit hie in Octabis sci Michis Et de
p\lcis Alicia T; Stepho mand vie qd nichil hent T;c I'o
capiant"" qd sunt hie ad pfat tmin p Justic T;c ad quern vie
non mis ore I'o pdcus Abbas sicut prius et pdci Alicia T,
Stephus sicut prius [to Hil. then to Easter.] — Ibid. m. 433d.

jf Henr Princeps Watt p attorn suu op. se iiij*0 die vsus
Abbem de Newenham de plito qd reddat ei ronabilem compotu
suu de tempore quo fuit receptor denar ipius Principis Et
ipe non ven Et sum T;c Judm attach qd sit hie a die sci
Michis in tres septias T;c. — Ibid. m. 527 d.

154 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

jj" Jur"~ in? Johem Calmadya in ppria psona sua quer et
Leonardu Abfcem de Neweham de plito f'nsgr ponit"" in
respem coram Dfio Kege vsq, in C"~stino sci Johis JBapte
vbiouq, Tic p defcu Jur Quia nullus Tic I'o vie heat corj>a Tie
Idem dies dat est ptibfc pdcis Tic.

jf Jur"" in? Ricm Calmadya in ppria psona sua quer' et
Leonardu Abfcem de Neweham Michm the Abbotes servant of
Neweham 1 Thomam the Abbotes servant of Neweham de
ptito t"~nsgr poit"~ in respcm coram Dno Rege vsq> in C"~stino
sci Johis Bapte vbicuq^ Tic p detcu Jur Quia nullus Tc I'o
vie heat corp Tic Idem dies datus est ptib} pdcis Tic. — Coram
Rege Roll. Easter, 11 Henry IV. in. 8d.

|f Abbas de Newenham qui tarn p dno Rege q"~m p se ipo
sequit"" p att suu op. se iiijto die Vsus Johem Colewille de
plito contemptus Ti t""nsgr cont"" forma statuti de svientib}
nup editi et ipe non ven et pceptum fuit vie qd capet eu et
vie retorn qd ipe non est invent9 T;c I'o p'ceptu est vie qd
Exigi fac eu de Com in Com quousq^ Tie vtlaget"" si non Tic et
si Tic tune eum capiat Et salvo Tic Ita qd heat corpus eius
cora dno Rege in Crastino Pur he Marie vbicuq^ Tic Et vnde
a die Pasche in xv dies. — Ibid. m. 8d.

229. Th6 first of the last three documents I am able to
quote shows that the Abbey had property upon the water as
well as on the land, the Abbot of Abbqtsbury, in the county of
Dorset, and others, being charged with having taken a ship
the property of the Monks of Newenham. Nicholas Wyse-
beche, the Abbot, appeared at Exeter in person to support the
complaint.

J]" Nichus Abbas de Nyweham in ppria psona sua op. se
iiijto die vWs Robtm Abfeem de Abbotysbury in Com DorS
Radm Cokwyll de Abbotysbury in p\lco Com DorS yoman
Johem Walshe de Dorchester in eodem Coin Dors yoman
Ricm Hille de Way mouth in p\lco Com Dor§ yoman Wiftm
Sandwyche de Seton in pdco Com Devon yoman de piito
quare vi T; armis quandam navem ipius Nichi Abbis precij
quadraginta libra^ apud Seton invent ceperunt Ti abduxerunt
1 alia enormia Tic Ad g""ve dampnu Tic Et cont"~ pace Reg
Tic Et ipi non vefi Et prec fuit vie qd attach eos Tic Et
vie modo mand qd quilibet eo& attach est p Riem fFoys Ti
Johem Gyon I'o ipi in mia 1 o prec est vie qd distr eos p
omes ¥ras Tic Efc qd de exit Tic Et qd heat corpora eo& hie
a die see Trinitatis in xv dies Tic [Further postponed to

XEWENHAM ABBEY. 155

Mich., Hil., Easter, and Mich, following.]— De Banco Roll.
6 Henry V. Easter, m. 248.

|f Nichus Abbas de Nyweham p Johem Trelay att suu op.
se iiijto die v'sus Wiftm ffrankeleyn de Setofi in Com p\leo
Bocher de plito quare vi T; armis bona T; catalla ipius Abbtis
ad valenciam centu solidox apud Bere inventa cepit 1 aspor-
tavit Et alia enormia T:c ad gttve dampnu lc Et cont""
pacem T.C Et ipe non vefi Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd
capet eum si 'tc Et salvo T:c Ita qd tieret corpus eius hie
ad hunc diem scitt a die Pasche in xv dies Et vie modo
mand: qd non est inventus Ic I'o prec est vie qd exigi fac
eum de Com in Com quousq, T;c vtlaget"~si non T;c Et si T;c
tune eum capiat Et salvo ~lc Ita qd heat corpus eius hie in
crastino aia^ Et vnde. — Ibid. m. 269 d.

jf Walrus Coofc cticus in pp'a psona sua op se iiij10 die
vsus Nichm Abbem de Nywenham in com pdco de ptito qd
reddat ei centum solidos Et vsus Adam Geraunt de Axe-
mynstr in eodem com Husbondman T; Johannam vxlem eius
de pHto qd reddant ei centu solidos quos ei debent T; iniuste
detinent \c Et ipi non ven Et prec fuit vie qd attach eos T:c
Et vie- modo mand qd uVq, eo^ attach est p Ricm Broun 1
Johem Coll I'o ipi in inia T;c Et prec est vie qd distr eos p
ofhes ?ras T;c Et qd de exit ~tc Et qd heat corpora eoi hie
in Octabis see Trinitatis T;c. — Ibid. m. 271.

jf Johes Cole in ppria psona sua op se iiijto die v*sus Nichm
Abfeem de Nywenham in com pdco de ptito qd reddat ei
octo libras T; duodecim solidos Et vsus Leonardu Abbem de
Clyff in com Soms de plito qd reddat ei octo libras T; decem
solidos Et vsus Johem Parys de Dertemouth in com Devon
mercatorem de ptito qd reddat ei octo marcas Et vsus Ricm
Worthy de Dertemouth in eodem com Devon Bocher de
ptito qd reddat ei quadraginta 1 sex solidos T; octo denar Et
Vsus Johem Broun de Wyke in pdco com Soms husbondman
[qd] reddat ei quadraginta solidos quos ei debent 1 iniuste
detinent T;c Et ipi non vefi Et prec fuit vie qd distr pdcos
Abfeem de Nywenham T; Abbem de ClyfF T; Johem Parys Et
eciam sicut prius qd capet pdcos Ricm T: Johem Broun lc
Et vie modo mand qd vVq, ^dcojj Abbtum distr est p. cattilla
ad valenc quadraginta denar Et vtq, eo^ m p Ricm Poyer
Johem Wave Johem Treysewe T; Henricu Wave I'o ipi in
mia Et sicut prius prec est vie qd distr eos p omes tras T;c
Et qd de exit T;c Et qd heat corpora eo^ hie a die see

Y

156 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Trinitatis in xv dies Et de pdco Jofte Parys mand vie qd
nichil het T;c Et de pdcis Rico T; Jofte Broun mand vie qd
non sunt invent Ic I'o p\lcus Johes Parys capiatas et eciam
sicut plur pdci Ricus Broun capiant"" Ita qd sint hie ad pfatu
train T;c Ad que die vie non misit bre T;c I'o sicut phi? pdci
Abfces distr 1c [for Mich term, then in Hilary term all the
defendants to be here]. — Ibid. m. 329 d.

230. The arms of the Abbey were apparently those of the
founder De Mohun. The common seal was the Blessed
Virgin seated, with the Holy Child, under a canopy, with
shields on each side, — one bearing the engrailed cross of
Mohun, the other the Maunche. The legend is §«. €©fl=
VBNCtf* JH®N££f3S]ftEI 2MB 0FaB3B&a|i. Three of the
Abbot's seals are mentioned and described by Davidson,
p. 87.

231. For a description of the remains of the buildings I
must refer my readers to the History of Mr. Davidson, to
which work my paper is only supplemental. The monastic
buildings were on the south side of the church, and probably
the whole ground-plan could be traced by excavation. Of
the magnificent church, nearly three hundred feet in length,
within the walls of which the bodies of many distinguished
persons were laid, not a vestige remains above the ground,
and the other scanty remains are gradually disappearing.
The east end of the building, with the Early English triplet
light, of which Mr. Davidson gives an engraving, has now
fallen. The little stream, the invariable accompaniment of
a Cistercian abbey, sometimes overflows its banks, and washes
out from the adjoining soil human bones, indicating the- site
of the monks' cemetery. No crime of its inmates, no con-
piracy against the common weal, brought the stately house
of Newenham thus low. The pension list attests that the
abbot and his monks were honest and of good conversation,
and they and their property but shared the common fate of
thousands as guiltless as themselves.

232. The evidence for the history of this house is full and
interesting. The cartulary and some of the original books
of the Abbey are in existence. They are referred to by
Mr. Davidson and fully described, and Dr. Oliver prints in the
appendix to his notice in the Monasticon Devoniensis some
interesting documents.

NEWENHAM ABBEY.

157

APPENDIX.

LIST OF THE ABBOTS OF NEWENHAM.

Names.

Dates.

Authorities.

John Godard ....

1246-1248

Henry de Persolte, or Spersholte

1248-1250

John de Ponte Robert! .

1250-1252

Geoffry de Blanchville

1252-1262

Hugh de Cokeswell

1262-1265

John de Northampton

1265-1272

William de Cornubia

1272-1288

To 1347 the chartulary

Richard de Chichester

1288-1293

of the Abbey com-

Richard de Pedirton

1293-1297

piled in the abbacy of

William de Fria

1297-1303

Walter de la Houe.

Richard de Pedirton, again

1303-1304

Ralph de Shapwick .

1304-1314

Robert de Pupplisbury

1314-1321

John de Cokiswille .

1321-1324

John de Geytyngton

1324 1338

Walter de la Hone .

1338-1361

Davidson,

Richard Branesconibe

1361-1391

Oliver's Monasticon,

John Legga's ....

1391-1402

the Bishops' Regis-

Leonard Houndalre.

1402-1413

ters, &c.,&c., are the

Nicholas Wysebeche

1413-1431

authorities for the

Trystram Crucherne

1431-1456

names and times of

William Hunteford

1456- ?

election of the suc-

John ?

? 1512

ceeding Abbots.

John Ellys ....

1512-1525

John Ilmynster, alias Cabell

1525-1530

»

Richard Gyll ....

1530-1539

5>

Y2

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON

v.
DUNKESWELL.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

DUNKESWELL.

233. Dunkeswell Abbey, one of the three Cistercian houses,
the others being Newenham and Ford, situated within a
comparatively short distance of one another in the east of
the county, has but a meagre history. Founded in 1201, by
the piety of William Lord Briwere or Bruere, it flourished
for nearly three hundred and fifty years.

234. In 1199 William Briwere purchased the manor of
Dunkeswell of Henry de la Pomeroy, which purchase was
confirmed by King John at York, 28th March, in the first
year of his reign. There seems however some little confusion
here, for the property formerly belonged to William Fitz-
william, who was compelled by his necessities* to borrow
money of a Jew and mortgage Dunkeswell manor. It is
said that William Briwere redeemed the land from the Jew,
but the evidence offered by the confirmation charter of King
John above mentioned contradicts this.

235. Early in the new century the new Abbey was founded,
— Dunkewelle fundata est, say the Annals of Waverley,f and
by a deed dated at Southampton on 13th April, in the
seventh year of his reign, King John confirmed the lands
the donation of William Briwere, as well as those the gifts of
others.

236. The gifts of William Briwere were all his lands in
Doneke-well and Wolford and the advowsons of the churches
there ; the abbot and convent of Ford gave their right in
Biwood; Richard de Hydon all his land in Bureheghe;
Richard de Treminett all his land in Bautescnapp ; William
de Pynn all his land in Bautescnapp ; John de Thoriton a
ferling of land in Stenetewde ; Ivo Fitz-Allen the manor of
Sobbecumbe ; Richard de Mannesley a tenement in La
Cumba [Marlecombe] ; Thomas de Duna all his land in

* Lysons' Devon, p. 170.

t Ann. Waverleia, Ann. Monast. vol. ii. p. 253.

160 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Uggaton, and a tenement in Codeford ; Philip de Gatesden
a ferling of land in Uggaton (this was a purchase) ; Robert
Fitzanne all his right in the tenement of Lynor and Bywood ;
and Ursellus Fitzwilliam his right in the same tenements.

237. In the llth year of the succeeding monarch, Henry
III., we have a further confirmation of the possessions of the
Abbey, from which we find that the founder and others had
bestowed further gifts upon the house. Besides the lands of
Dunkeswell and Wolford, Briwere had given it all his lands
in the manor of Ufculme, with the mill there, and the monks
of Ford had bestowed upon their newly settled brethren,
besides Biwood, all their lands in Boleham, Freschic, Boc-
land, Lodreford, and Hickersdon ; Robert, the nephew of
Robert le Goiz, his right in Lynor, and Avicia de Dun her
land at Hoked.

238. It is easy to understand the gifts of the Cistercians of
Ford, for Dunkeswell was her daughter, the new Abbey
having been colonised by monks from the house of the founda-
tion of Adelicia de Brioniis.

239. The powerful founder selected Dunkeswell as the
place of his interment, passing by the other religious founda-
tions which owed their existence to his bounty, and there
in the year 1227, in the choir of the Abbey church, his body
was laid. It is supposed that his lady was also buried there,
for a short time since two stone coffins, covered with plain
slabs of Purbeck, were found, each containing a skeleton, one
of a man, the other of a woman. In all probability these
were the bones of Lord Briwere and his wife, thus disturbed
after a period of nearly six hundred and fifty years. All the
bones were placed in one of the coffins and reinterred ; the
other coffin still remains above the ground, and may be seen
under the south-east wall of the present churchyard of
Dunkeswell Abbey.

240. We have but few documents illustrative of the history
of Dunkeswell. The course of its existence appears to have
been uneventful. We do not even know who the first abbot
was, and the names of his immediate successors are wanting,
but I am able to furnish the name of an abbot earlier than
any yet recorded. This is Richard, who in 1228 bought of
Richard de Crues three hundred and sixty-eight acres of land
in Coleton.

Hec est final concordia fca in Curia Dm* Reg apd Exon
die sci Jacofc Apti Anno Regn Reg Henr fit Reg Johis

DUNKESWELL ABBEY. 161

Duodeciin. Cora Thorn de Muleton Robto de Lexinton Rad
Musard Johe de Baioc T; Jordan Oliv Justic Itinantib} T;
aliis dni Reg fidelibj T;c ibi psentib3. Int Ric de Crues petente
1 Ricard Abbem de Donekfwift Tenente de Tricent 1 sexa-
ginta T; octo acris ?re cu ptin in Coletofi. Ufi placit fuit
in^eos I pYata Curia, Scit qd p\lcs Ric remisit 1 q'et clamavit
de se T; hedibx suis Ipi Abbati 1 successorib} suis T. Ecciie
sue de Donekfwift in ppetuu. Totu Jus T: clamiu quod habuit
in tota pdca tra cu ptin. Et p h"" remissioe q'eta clamacia
fine T; cocordia Ide Abbas dedit pdco Ric q^q^m arc argnti.
—Feet of Fines, Henry III. Devon, No. 83.

241. The next Abbot of whom we have any mention is
Ralph, Vir quidem morum gravitate ac sapientice fulgore non
mediocriter adornatus. He it was probably who obtained, in
1242, Sept. 21st, from the nephew of the founder, William
Briwere Bishop of Exeter, an appropriation of the emolu-
ments of the parish church of Dunkeswell, and a few days
afterwards, 30th Sept., the Bishop gave to the Abbey the ad-
vowson and revenues of another church dedicated to St. David,
and called Doddington, which cannot now be traced. In 1251
Ralph, who had been a monk of Tintern, was appointed Ab-
bot of Waverley, in Surrey, and left the banks of the Culme
for those of the Wey. He succeeded on the death of
Abbot Walter Giffard, the 10th Abbot, in 1252. The Annals
of Waverley say: — " Litera dominicalibus B. dies Paschae
xvi. Kal. Maii. Eodem anno dominus Radulphus monachus
Sancte Mariae de Waverleia, qui quondam abbatizaverat in
domo de Tinterna, electus est in abbatem de Donekwell : vir
quidem morum gravitate ac sapientia3 fulgore non mediocriter
adornatus." — Ann. Wav. p. 336.

242. Ralph was succeeded by Thomas, whose name occurs
as early as 1253. In 1259, Dec. 5th, Bishop Bronescombe
dedicated a new parish church at Dunkeswell. In the follow-
ing February he issued a decree with reference to the church
of Doddeton, the font and bells of which had been removed,
and the building altogether disused for divine service. The
Abbot and convent were cited to appear, and admitting the
facts, submitted themselves to the Bishop's directions, which
were that the church should be re-opened and daily service
said therein. During the rule of this Abbot he greatly in-
creased the possessions of the convent by exchanges and
dealings with the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem.

162 THE CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

243. Between Thomas and John the next Abbot, according
to Oliver, is a long lapse of time, and there is little doubt but
that the names of some intermediate Abbots are wanting. I
am able to furnish some information as to what took place in
connection with the house during this period, but un-
fortunately the names of the Abbots mentioned are not given.
The first is from the Hundred Boll, the jury finding that the
Abbey held the manor of Broadhembury, in the Roll called
" de Hambiri."

Hoc est verectcm Hundr de Harrig.

Henr de Kyngesford. Johes Norman. Robts de Cliffewilmo.
Rics de la Forde. Watts de Ba. Witts le Engleys. Wilts de
Grodeford. Petrus de Fonte. Phs de Siccavilla. Rogs de la
More. Drogo de Foforde, T; RoMs le Engleys duodecim Jur
de Harrigg dnt sup sacrm suum quod * * *

* * * * # * *

Itm dnt qd Abbas de Donkeswille tenet maSium de Hambiri
q, quondam ptinebat ad baroniam de Toritone In tpe Witti
de Toritone Qui Witts dedit dcm manlium cu suis ptinenc
Witto Briwere T; idem Wittus Briwere dedit dcm mafiium
dco Abbati de Donkeswille in lifeam T; ppetuam elemosiam.

jf Et Idem Abbas ht furcas ass"" panis T; cvisie ptinen? ad
ad pdcm mafliu suu de Hambir ex antiq0 T: ex c firmacone
dni reg Johis T; dni reg. H. pris reg qui nunc est. Et dna
Amicia comitissa devonie tit furcas * * * *

— Exchequer, Treasure of Receipt. Hundred Rolls ; Devon,
No. 18.

244. From the Coroner's Roll I am able to refer to what
appear to be important proceedings taken by the Abbot against
certain persons who had wrongfully entered upon the manor
of Hakepenne, and ejected the monks and conversi belonging
to the abbey who happened to be there.

jf Johs de Cogan Thorn filius ejus Phus de Cogan T; Rofcts
de Stolkeye Jotis Comyn Ricus de la Hutt Eusths le Hey-
ward Roftts le Selcr de Ofcomt Rogs de la Forde Wittus le
Turner Rics de la more Johs Boneweye Watts Hogh Witt's
le Haueker * Johs Everedd Ricus le Bakere. Witts Scribi T;
Robts Scotte attach fuerut ad respond Abbti de Donekeswell
de plito qua? ipi simt cu Robto le Hunte Gilfeto Hereward T:
aliis malefactorib} ignotis maSiu ipius Abbtis apud Hakepenne
vi et armis ingressi domos suas ibidm fregunt T; furcas ejusdfn

* Hawker elsewhere.

DUNKESWELL ABBEY. 1 63

Abbtis in solo suo pp'o ibidm juxta libtates Abbatib) ejusdfn
loci p pgenito? regis concessas ut dicitr levatas noctan?
pst"~vut asptavut 1 cobusserut T; monacos conVsos abbatli
p'dce ibidm inventos inde ejecrunt in ipius Abbtis dapnu
gravissimu T; cent"" pace T;c Et unde idm Abbas querr qd
p?dci Johs T; alii simul cu f>dcis Robto le Hunte Gilbto Here-
ward ~t aliis malefactorib} ignotis in vigilia scoi innocenciu
Anno r Dni Regis mine vicesimo septimo MaSiu pdcm ipius
Abbtis de Hakepenne vi T; armis ingressi domos suas ibidm
fregunt 1 furcas ejusdfn Abbat' jux"~ libtates pdcas T;c ibidm
levatas noctant pst""vut T: illas asptavut usq^ mahliu p\lei
Johis de Cogan de Ofcomfe * T; ibi illas cobussert T; monacos ~i
convsos Abbathie ^dce in pdco manlio de Hakepenne inventos
inde ejecunt T; svientes ipius Atfeis videlt Phm le Messer T;
Johm de Heyles vbavut vlSavut p quod idm Abbas amisit
eo& svicium p unu quartiQ anni T; aplius T: t sexaginta boves
1 viginti vaccas ipius Afebtis in p'dco maSio suo invent
ceprut 1 eos fugavut usq^ pdcm maSiu pdci Joh Cogan de
Ofcomb T; ibi eos inpcaviit racone cuj9 impcafhti tresdecim
boves de pdcis pierut T; dui boves T; vacce residui deteriorati
fuut ad valenc viginti lib? in ipius Afebtis dampnu gravissimu
T; cont"" pace T;c Unde die qd de?ioratus est T; Dapnu ht ad
valenc Centu lifer T: inde pducit secta T;c.

Et Johs de Cogan T; alii vefi Et Thorn fii Joh Cogan ~i ofhs
alii except ipo Johne T; pdcis Eustach le Heyward Witto le
Hauekere Wal?o Hugh T; Robto le Scote chit qd ipi nulla
pdca^ trangr pdco Abfeti intulerut cont"" pacem T;c put eis
imponit ~l de hoc poii se sup pa?am Et Abbas simifr lo fit
inde Jura.

Et Johs Cogan Eustach Wifto le Hauekere Walts Hugh !
Robts Scote diit qd ipi nulla tansgr ^dcoAbbti intutit contra
pacem T:c dfit enim q.d pdcus Johs Cogan het in pdco manio
suo de Ufculm lifetate hndi in fangenethef utfangenethef T;
furcas T: ola que ad hujs lifetate ptinent T; quia ^dcus Abbas
in manlio suo p\lco de Hakepenne qd est infra pcinctu p\lci
maSii ipius Johis de Ofcomb levasse voluit furcas de novo in
lesione \ p^judiciu libtatis ipius Johis idem Johis pcepit pdcis
Eustach T; aliis qd ipi pdcm Abbtem huj5 furcas ibidem leva?
non pmitt'ent qui quid Eustach T, alii ipm Abbtem de pdcis
furc ibidm levanct impediverut sicut eis bn licuit Et qd aliam
tftsg1 ei no fecunt cont"" pace Ic pofi se sup patWi Et Abb
die qd ipi furcas t levavit in p»judm libtat dci Johis le die

* Ulfcnlm elsewhere. f Query? non omitted.

164 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

enim qd dns J. Rex av9 dni Rf nunc cocessit 1 carta sua
cofirfn Abbathie de Donkwett 1 Monach ibide deo ^vient in
pur T; ppet Elemog qd pdca Abbatha Abbas T; Monachi ibide
deo svient heant T; teneant ofnes terf T; ten que huerut ex
dono Wifti le Brewere I manSio Tx et qcumq, alia que infu-
turii adq'sierint cu Socco 1 Sacca Tol T; Theam 1 Infangene-
thief Utfangenethief Et dns H. Rex pr dni Reg1 nuc eosde
lifttat pdce Abbathie T:c p cartam suam 5cessit T; cofirmavit T;
pfert pdcas car? que h testanf Et die qd a tempe confeccois
cartarf illax 6es ^decessores sui Abbates T; ipe huerut in
maSio suo pdco de Hakepenne f'urcas suaa quousq^ pdcus
Johes Cogan furc ift pstnere fecit ?pe ipdus Abbatis nunc [on
the dorse is the following] T: p quod hita indes in? ijpos Jonem
T; Abfetem contr""versia pdcs Jons Cogan p septum suum pd
cocessit p se T: her 1 assig^tis suis ipi Abbti T: coventui suo
qd ipi T; eorf successores heant T: teneant omes lifetates T:
libas cons in cofirmacoib} dnor& Johis 1 Henr Regu con-
tentas in Puram T; ppetua Elemosinam Imppm Et pfert
pdcm sciptu ipius Johis quod hoc idem testaf T; die qd ipe
statim post confeccom pdci sc'pti furcas suas repare fecit in
pdico maSio suo de Hakepenne que ibi stetut p ij annos T;
ampli9 qusq, pdci Johs Cogan T; alii furcas illas pst^verut sicud
sup""dcm est Et hoc petit q.d inquir T;c.

Et Johes fen cogn ^dcm scptu T; auicquid in eo continetr
Set die q.d tempe cofecconis illi5 scpti p^dcus Abbas nullas
furcas tiuit in pdco man] io suo de Hakepenne nee unq,,"" postea
quousty jam de novo qd idem Abbas furcas ibide levasse
voluit T: pdci Eustacfe Wiits le Hawkere Wal?us Hug T;
Rotitus Scote p pceptu ipius Johis ipm Abbate inde im-
pediv^ut sic sup^dcm est. Et qd nullam aliam fnsgssionem
ei fecerut qt"" pace T:c ponut se sup pa?am ? Abbas sitr Ido fiat

inde Jur"~ Jur dnt sup sacrm suu qd p\lci Thorn fit Johis

de Cogan, Ricus de la Huft, Eustach le Hey ward, Rogus de
la Ford, Witts le Turnur, Ricus de la More, Johes Boneweye,
Wal?us Hughe, Witts ie Haweker, Johes Evard, Ricus le
Bakere, Witts Scby T; Rofetus Scote p pceptu T: assensu
pdco& Johis de C T; R de Scote furcas pdci Abbatis in pdco
MaSio suo de Hakepenne in pdca vigii innocenciu noctan?
pst^verut 1 furcas illas ad maSiu pdci Johis de Cogan de
Ufculm caria^ut T: ibi eas cobusserut, quas quidem furcas
idem Abbas scdm lifetates a Reg Angt Abbathie de Dunkes-
Mreft T; Monach T;c concessas huit in pdco manis suo levatas,
fere p duos annos ante q pstate fuut T; furcis illis sic pstratis
pdcus Johes de Cogan levare fecit furcas suas in solo ipius

DUNKESWELL ABBEY. 165

Abba?, inf" p\lcm maSiu ipius Abbatis de Hakepenne. Et q,
pdcus Abbas pstVie fecit furcas ipi9 Johis in solo ipius Abbatis
levatas pclci Thorn fit Johis Ricus de la Hull, Ewstachius,
Johes de Bonewey, Wal?us Hug, Wilts le Hawekere, Johes
Evard, Ricus le Bakere, T; Wilts Scribi in c^stino die sequent
pdcm maSiu p\lci Abbatis de Hakepenne int" verut T; hostiu
aule quod clausum inveSant ibidem fregftt T; ?vient ipius
Abbatis in eodem maSio inventos v'beravut videl} Plifh le
Mes? T; Johem de Heyles. Et postea cepunt if1" eudE ma&iu
boves 1 vacc ipius Abbatis circi? quadrag quos fiiiravut usqj
pcu pdci Johis de Cogan de Ufculm T; ibi eos impcav^ut racone
cujv impcamen? tres de eisdem pierut ad dampnu ipius
Abbatis quadrag H. Et Jur quesit si p\lci Thorn 1 alii frefut
p\lcu hostiu T:c p p^ceptu p\lco^ Johis de Cogan T; Robti de
Stokhey. Dicut qd p\lci Thorn T; alii ^ p^ceptu T: assensu
ipius Jonis de Cogan ibidem veSut 53 idem Johes no pcepit
eis aliquod hostiu frange ufi post factum illud illos receptavit
~t adhuc plures de illis receptat in svico suo T;c.

M ]

1 ^ 3 27 Edward I.
Coroner's Roll, Devon. 34J

245. John was blessed, as appears by Bishop Stapeldon's Re-
gister, 1 7th Oct. 1311, at Yarcombe, after the dedication of the
high altar there. He was not Abbot long, as we find that his
successor William was blessed in Exeter Cathedral on Palm
Sunday, 1318. I quote two entries from the De Banco Roll.

jf Abbas de Donekeswelle p Adam de Baunton att suu op.
se iiijto die vsus Wiftm Vyncent de piito qd reddat ei rona-
bilem compotu suu de tempore quo fuit recepto^ denar ipius
Abbtis Tx Et ipe non ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd
capet eu T;c Et vie modo mand qd bre adeo tarde venit le
I'o sicut plur prec est vie qd cap eii si T;c Et salvo le Ita
qd heat corpus eius hie a die sci Hillar in xv dies T,c Et vie
sit.— De Banco Roll, 19 Edw. II. Mich. (m. 210).

jf Wittus Abbas de Donkeswelle p Adam de Baunton att
suu op. se iiijto die v'sus Wiltm Pyioun 1 Robtm Don de ptito
quare ipi simul cum Henr de Campo Arnulphi 1; Walto
Gydie cepunt av'ia ipius Abbis et ea iniuste detinuerunt cont"'
vadiu 1 pleg 1c Et ipi non ven Et f>dcus Witts attach
fuit p Waltm Gydie 1 Rofetm Don Et p'dcs Robts p Wittm
Pyioun 1 Waltm Gydie 16 ipi in fnia Et prec est vie qd
distr eos p oes ?r le Et qd heat corpa eor^ hie a die Pasche
in q'nq, septias le. — Ibid. (m. 414 d) 19 Edw. II. Mich.

z 2

166 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

246. Little more than three years afterwards William's
successor, "William de Wanlake, was consecrated Abbot,
8th Sept. 1321, at the Bishop's palace at Clyst. For the
Abbots succeeding William de Wanlake I can only quote
Oliver * and the Bishop's Registers.

247. John followed William, and Simon was blessed at
Chudleigh by Bishop Grandisson, 22nd Feb. 1341. The
cellarer of Newenham was elected in the stead of Simon 22nd
April, 1346. William Wedmore followed, 7th April, 1353,
and Robert Orchard was blessed at the palace at Chudleigh by
Bishop Bran tyngham, 20th April, 1382. Alexander Burles-
combe was Abbot in 1397, and two years afterwards Richard
Lamport was elected, 17th July, 1399. In Richard's time we
find several entries in the Banco Roll, principally relating to
pleas of debt in which the Abbot was plaintiff.

jf Abbas Monas?ij de Donkeswill p attorn suii op se iiijto
die vsus Rofetum Clauenesburgh Gilbtum Bobbeknolle Ricm
Bakere de Honytoil hostiller 1 Ricm Dryewode de plito qd
quilt eoa reddat ei quadraginta marcas quas ei debet 1 iniuste
detinet lc Et ipi non ven Et sicut prius prec fuit vie qd
capet eos lc Et vie modo mand: qd non sunt invent lc I'D
sicut plur capiant"" qd sint hie in octab sci Michis lc. — De
Banco Roll Trin. 2 Hen IV. m. 52 d.

If Ricus Abbas de Dunkeswyll p attorn suu op se iiijto die
v*sus Thomam Ammary de ptito quare vi 1 armis arbores 1
subboscum ipius Abfeis ad valenc decem libra? apuct Dunkes-
wyll nup crescent succidit 1 asportavit T, blada T; hbam sua
ad valenc centum solidoa ifem nup crescent cum quibusdam
av9ijs depastus fuit conculcavit T; consumpsit 1 alia enormia
"lc ad g""ve dampnu T^c I cont"" pacem Regis Ic Et ipe non
ven Et prec fuit vie qd attacfe eu T;c Et vie modo mand qd
nichil het T:c I'o prec est vie qd capiat eu si T;c Et salvo
lc Ita qd heat corpus eius hie A die sci Michis in xv dies
lc.— De Banco Roll, Trin. 2 Hen. IV. m. 152.

Jf Ricus Abbas de Dnnkeswill p attorn suu op se iiijto die
vWis Nichm Sturgion de plito qd reddat ei quadraginta solidos
quos ei debet T; iniuste detinet lc Et ipe non ven Et sicut
plur prec fuit vie qd distr eum lc Et vie modo mand qd distr
est p catalla ad valenc decem 1 octo denarius Et m p Johem
Hunt WiHm Craweford Thomam Stowe 1 Wittm Nooke I'o
ipi in inia lc Et sicut plur prec est vie qd distr eum p ofhes

* Monasticon, p. 394.

DUNKESWELL ABBEY. 1(57

tras ~tc Et qd de exit ~tc Et qd heat corpus eius hie in Octab
sci Michis lc.— De Banco Roll, Trin. 2 Henry IV. m. 159.

jf Abbas de Dunkiswill p Johem Cole attorn suu op se iiij10
die vsus Waltm Dollebeare cticu de ptito qd reddat ei quin-
quaginta solidos quos ei debet T; iniuste detinet Htc Et ipe
non ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd capet eu Ic Et vie
modo ma'nd qd non est invent9 Ic I'o sicut plur capiat""
Ita qd sit hie a die sci Michis in xv dies p Justic Tx.

Idm Abbas p attorn suu pdcm op se iiijto die vsus Johem
Vssher Ht Isoldara vxorem eius de ptito qd reddant ei quad-
raginta solidos quos ei debent T; iniuste detinent Ic Et ipi
non ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd capet eos si T;c Et
salvo T;c Ita qd heret corpa eoi ad hunc diem scitt in Octa-
bis see Trinitatis T;c Et vie modo mand qd non sunt invent!
T:c I'o prec est vie qd exigi fac eos de Com in Com quousq.,
~tc pdcus Johes vtlaget"" T; pdca Isabella wayviet"" Si non Ic
Et si T:c tune eos capiat Et salvo T;c Ita qd heat corpa eo^
hie in crastino Pur be Marie Et vnde T;c Ad que die vie
non mis bre I'o de novo exigant"~ in forma p\lca qd sint hie
in Octab sci Michis Et vnde T;c. — De Banco Roll, Trin.
2 Hen. IV. m. 280 d.

jf Jur*" in? Thomam Aunger quer T; Ricm Abbem de Don-
keswyll T; frem Alexm Burgoyn Comonachum eiusdem Abbis
Johem I^eygh Wiftm Wolman T; Wittm I^omen de ptito
transgr ponit"" in respcm hie vsq^ a die sci Michis in xv dies
nisi Justic dni Regis ad assisas in Com pdco capiend assign
p formam statuti T;c die lune px post fm sci Jacobi Apli apud
Exon prius veSint p detcu Jur quia nullus ven I'o vie heat
corpora T:c. — De Banco Roll, Trin. 8 Henry IV. (m. 24, 6 d).

jf Abbas de Dunkeswill p att suu op se iiijto die vsus
Thoma Aunger de ptito qd reddat ei decem libras quas ei
debet ~t iniuste detinet T;c Et ipe non ven Et prec fuit vie
qd distr eu T:c Et vie mand pd nichil het T;c I'o capiat"" qd
sit hie a die sci Michis in xv dies T:c ad quern diem vie non
misit bre I'o sicut prius capiat"" qd sic hie a die sci Hillar in
xv dies Ic.— De Banco Roll, Trin. 8 Henry IV. m. 252 d.

jf Abbas de Domkeswell p Johem Cole attorn suu op se
iiijto die vWs Ricm Bakere de Honyton 1 Thomam Davy de
Honyton de ptito qd vfq, eo£ reddat ei viginti 1 duas marcas
sex solidos T; octo denar quos ei debent ~i iniuste detinent

168 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

lc Et ipi non ven Et sicut plur prec fuit vie qd capet eos
si T:c Et salvo °lc Ita qd neret corpora eoa hie ad hunc diem
scitt a die sci Trinitatis in xv dies T£ Et vie modo mand qd
non sunt inventi Ic I'o prec est vie qd exigi fac eos de Com
in Com quousq^ T;c vtlagent"~ si non T;c Et si T;c tune eos
capiat Et salvo T;c Ita qd heat corpora eoa hie a die sci
Hillar in xv dies Et vnde T£. — De Banco Roll, Trin. 8
Henry IV. m. 298 d.

248. John Bokeland, 10th June 1419, John Ottery, 26th
April 1439, Simon, 13th February 1441, were Abbots, as
shown by the Bishop's Registers, and by leases examined by
Dr. Oliver, and from the former we find that Richard Pyt-
mynster was Abbot in 1492, and as late as 1498. John
Whitmore succeeded, and was Abbot twenty years. *

249. The last Abbot was John Ley, who was confirmed in
1529 by the suffragan Bishop of Exeter. On the 14th Feb.
1539 he surrendered his house to the King's Commissioners.
There appear to have been seven monks in the Abbey at the
time of the surrender, viz., John Webbe, William Boreman,
John Gaye, John Segar, John Genyng, John Benett, and
Thomas Typson. The Abbot, John Ley, on the death of the
Abbot of Ford, John Tybbes, in 1556, became Vicar of Pea-
hembury. John Gay, one of the monks, was appointed on
the Dissolution perpetual curate of Sheldon, formerly belong-
ing to the Abbey.

250. The annual value of the property of the Abbey at the
surrender was nearly £300. The site of the monastic build-
ings, the home farm and mill, and other lands, were granted
with large possessions, of which the owners were ruthlessly
deprived, to John Lord Russell by letters patent dated 4th
July, 31 Henry VIII. He does not seem to have retained
them very long, for we find soon after that parts originally
given to him reverted to the Crown and fresh grants made.
To trace the successive owners of the various lands be-
longing to the Abbey would be tedious and uninteresting.

251. The Abbey adopted the arms of its founder, William
de Briwere, — two bends wavy. The fine common seal, up-
wards of three inches long, represents the Blessed Virgin
with Saints on either side, all under canopies. Unfortunately

* Oliver, Monasticon, p. 394.

DUNKESWELL ABBEY. 169

there is but one impression of this seal extant, which is very
mutilated. Below the Saint on the sinister side of the
central figure is a shield with the De Briwere arms. An
impression from an Abbot's counter-seal is also preserved.
It is vesica-shaped, about one and six-eighths of an inch long.
The Abbot is represented standing, holding his crozier in his
right hand.

252. There were four bells in the tower of the church at the
Dissolution, valued at £32 os. The lead went to the recipient
of the Abbey lands, and the entry relating to it curtly says,
" My Lord of Bedford had the leade wth the gifte of the
land"

253. My Lord of Bedford took care to appropriate the lead,
without reference to the preservation of the fabric, with every-
thing else capable of being turned into money, and the grand
buildings, for such they must have been, and the despoiled
abbey, soon shared the fate of many a stately monastery, for
centuries the home of labour, almsgiving, and prayer. «

254. In dry summers the foundations of the church and of
some of the important buildings may be traced by the grass
above them being quickly scorched. The western tower has
fallen within a comparatively recent period. Portions of the
gate-house remain, and fragments of walls still standing in-
dicate the positions of certain of the original edifices, and I
think that a little time and some digging would enable one to
make a ground-plan of the whole of the monastic buildings.
A modern church has been recently built upon the site of
the antient cemetery. The situation of the Abbey is very
secluded, but very beautiful and very characteristic of a
Cistercian selection.

170

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

APPENDIX.

LIST OF THE ABBOTS OF DUNKESWELL.

Names.

Dates.

Authorities.

Eichard ....

1228

Purchase from Richard de

Crues.

Ralph ....

Abbot to 1251

Translated to Waverley in
1251.

Thomas . .

1253

Lease.

John ....
William ....
William de Wanlake

1311-1318
1318-1321
1321-

Bishop Stapeldon's Reg.
Episcopal Registers.
Do.

John ....

-1341

Oliver.

Simon ....
William Wedmore .

1341-1346
1353-1382

Episcopal Registers.
Do

Eobert Orchard

1382-1397

Do.

Alexander Burlescombe .

1397-1399

Do.

Richard Lamport
John Bokeland

1399-1419
1419-1439

Do.
Do.

John Ottery
Simon . . ...

1439-1441
1441-

Do
Do.

Thomas Dullton

As early as
1474 down

Leases.

to 1486

Richard Pytmynster

As early as
1492 to 1498

Do.

John Whitmore

As early as
1509 to 1529

Do.

John Ley

1529-1539

Episcopal Registers, &c.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

VI.
FORD.

THE

CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.
VI. FORD.

255. Up to the year 1842 the site of this Abbey, now a
gentleman's mansion, was in the county of Devon. In that
year the parish of Thorncombe, in which it is situated, was,
by authority of Parliament, for the convenience of those
having the transaction of magisterial and other business, trans-
ferred to the county of Dorset. There is therefore a necessity
for including the history of Ford Abbey in this series of
papers.

256. The Abbey was founded in 1141, and in point of date
is the second Cistercian foundation in Devon. But the
Annals of Waverley say, under date 1135, " Fordo, fundata
est quinto nonas Maii."* This, however, fixes the date of the
migration of Richard and twelve monks from Waverley, the
famous house before spoken of, to Brightley near Okehamptou.

257. This is not the place to attempt to trace the parentage
and descendants of Richard, stated in the Book of Ford
Abbey to be the son of Baldwin de Brionne, and although the
question has had brought upon it all the acumen and learning
of Mr. Planch4,-f- it is by no means settled. It is, however,
clear that a Richard, connected with the great family of
Redvers, made provision for Cistercian Monks at Brightley,
and sent to Waverley for men to colonise the new house.

258. Richard the Monk and his companions had settled at
Brightley only a few months when their patron died, 25th
June, 1137. His death prevented his plans for the permanent
establishment of the house of Brightley being carried into
effect, and wanting not only friends, but the bare necessaries
of life in the barren spot in which the temporary buildings

* Annalcs de Warerleia, Ann. Monast., vol. ii. p. 225.

f See Earls of Devon, Collectanea Arch., vol. i. p. 263. The Conqwror
and his Companions, vol. i. p. 44. On the Lords of the Isle of Wight, Journ.
Arch. Asgoc., vol. xi. p. 217.

2 A

172 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

were placed, and having no hopes of being able to carry out
the wishes of their would-be benefactor, the thirteen monks,
after having lost their leader and Abbot, who had broken
down in the struggle, resolved to abandon Brightley and to
return to their old home. The five years attempt was a noble
but a hopeless one, — prae inopia et praa dira sterilitate vic-
tualiumque penura ibidem amplius morari non potuissent, —
and with sad memories and disappointed hopes they set their
faces again towards Waverley.

259. They had proceeded on their journey as far as Thorn-
combe when Adelicia, the sister of Richard the Viscount, met
them. The chronicler quoted by Dugdale gives the very
words of Adelicia when she saw the monks walking two and
two with uplifted cross, as five years before they had set out
from Waverley. " Absit a me, domini et patres sanctissimi,
opprobrium tarn damnabile et ignominiosum periculum, ut
quod dominus meus et frater Ricardus pio devotionis affectu
ad Dei honorem nostrumque omnium salutem tarn solemp-
niter quam salubriter inceperat, ego vero soror ejus, et heres
cui decedendo omnia tradidit in manus, non velim aut valeam
ad debitum perducere effectum. Ecce manerium meum in
quo jam consistimus fertile satis et nemorosum ac abundans
frugibus, quod vobis in excambium pro terra sterili de
Brightleia cum tota mansione nostra et domicilio imperpe-
tuum donamus. Manete hie donee alibi in ista possessione vobis
competentius fit monasterium, nee vobis in hoc deesse pos-
sumus, sed satis juvabimus ad construendum." The fruitful
and well- wooded manor which Adelicia offered the monks was
that of Thorncombe, and the proffered gift induced them
to change their plans and accept the lands for a new founda-
tion.

260. The house called Westford, which accompanied the
gift of the manor, was taken possession of, and there the
wanderers lived until the completion of the larger and more
convenient buildings. It was resolved that their site should
be Hertbath {Balneum cervorum) and the erection of the
church was at once commenced.

261. Scarcely had the new arrangements been completed
when the monks sustained another loss. In September, 1 1 42,
Adelicia died, and was buried within the precincts of the
church, although at this time little progress could have been
made with it. The remains of Richard the Viscount and
Richard the Abbot were removed from Brightley, and buried
before the place of the high altar in the slowly rising church.
The Abbey was soon known as Ford, taking this name from

FOKD ABBEY. 173

a passage-way over the River Axe, near which it was
situated.

262. The first Abbot was succeeded by Robert de Penynton,
or Penigton, as we find it sometimes spelt, and who, as
his name occurs in deeds under dates so far apart as 1137
and 1168, must have ruled the house for many years. It is
very probable that the conventual buildings were completed
in his time, and the remains of the two Richards removed
from Brightley to Ford.

263. The third Abbot was Baldwin of Exeter. Originally
a monk at Ford, he, in the course of a short time, became
Abbot, and about the year 1181 was made Bishop of Wor-
cester, and not long after Archbishop of Canterbury, and his
life in consequence becomes a part of the history of our
country.

264. Of the next Abbot, Robert, we know nothing.
During his time, or in that of his successor, Maurice Somer-
set was a monk here, and, his writings obtaining him celebrity
at Oxford, he was made Abbot of Wells.

265. John, the Confessor of the King of the same name,
formerly Abbot of Bindon, succeeded Robert, and made Ford
famous for its learning. He was a great theologian and was
Abbot from 1191 to 1220.

266. Another John followed,* and was Abbot until 1236.
We have from the Feet of Fines some entries in which his
name is mentioned.

Hec est finalis concordia fca in Curia dni Reg apud Westm.
In Octab Purificacois anno regni Reg Henr fit Reg Johis
vicesimo p'mo Coram Robo de Lexinton Witto de Eborf Ada
fil Witt 1 Witlo de Colewrth_Justic T: aliis dni Reg fidelib3
tuc ifoi pJsentib} Int Galfridu de la Pomeray petentern p
Hug de la Hutt positu loco ipius Galfr ad lucrandu ui per-
dendu 1 Johem Abfoem de Forde tenetem de trib5 Carucatis
?re cu ptifi in Tale vnde placitu fuit in? eos in ead Cur
Scilicet qd {Jdcus Galfr remisit T; quietu clamauit de se T;
heredib} suis f>dco Abfoi 't successorib} suis T; Ecclie sue de
Forde totu Jus T; clamiu quod habuit in tota pdca tra cu
ptifi imppetuu. Et p hac remissione quieta clamancia fine T;
concordia idem Abbas dedit pdco Galfr quiquaginta T; tres
m""rcas argenti. — Feet of Fines. Devon. Henry III. No.
196.

Hec est finalis concordia fca in Cur dni Reg apud Exon a

* But see Annals of Wavcrley under date 1234.
2 A2

174 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

die sci Joft Bap? in quindeci dies anno regni Keg Henr fit
Reg Joh vicesimo scdo Coram Wifto de Eborf Rofcto de
Bello Campo Wifto de Sco Edmundo 1 Jordano OliuJ iustic
itiSantib} T; aliis dni Reg fidelib} tuc ibi psentib} Int Claricia
fit Radi petentem T; Jonm Abfem de Ford tenente de Dimid
ferlingo ?re cu ptifi in Stok Vnde assisa mortis antecesS
sumonita fuit in? eos in eadem Cur scit qd pdca Claric re-
cognouit tota pdcam ?ra cum ptin esse ius ipius Abfcis T;
Ecctie sue de Ford Habend 1 tenend eidem Abfoi T; succ suis
T; Ecctie sue pdce de p\lca Claric T; hedib3 suis inppetuu
reddendo inde annuatim vnu defi ad festu sci Micti p omi
seruico ad ipam Claric ul ad hedes suos ptinete Et acquie-
tando tota pdcam ?ra cum ptifi us9 Capitales dnos feodi ill5
de omib} aliis seruic ad eandem ?ra ptinentibj. Et p hac
recognicone fine T; cocordia Ide Abbas dedit pdce Claric duas
Marc argeti.— Ibid. No. 219.

Hec est finat concordia fca in Cur dni Reg apud Exofi a
•lie sci Joh Bapt in quindeci dies Anno Regni Reg Henr fit
Reg Johis vicesimo scdo Cora Wifto de Eborf Rofoto de Bello
Campo Wifto de sco Edmundo 1 Jord Oliu iustic itinkntibj T;
aliis dni Reg fidelib3 tuc ibi psentibj In? Thorn de Ford T:
Petronift vxem ei9 petetes T; Johm Abbm de Ford tenente
de §cia pte vinr9 ferlingi ?re cu ptin in Stokf. Qua ?cia pte
pdci Tliom T; Petronilla clamabant esse ronabile dote ipius
Petronille q earn contingebat de libo tenemeto qd fuit Radi
fit Ric quondam viri sui in eadem villa. Et vnde placitu
fuit in? eos in ead Cur scii qd jpdce Thorn T; Petronilla
remisrunt T: quie? clamauunt de se eidem Abbi I succes-
sorib5 suis T; Ecctie sue de Ford totu ius T; clamiu quod h unt
in tota pdca tcia pte cu ptin noie dotis ippetuu. Et p hac
remissione quieta clamanc fine T; concordia idem Abbas dedit
p\lcis Thome T; Petronille Duas Marc Argeti. — Ibid. No. 254.

Hec est finaf concordia fca in Cur dni Reg apud Exofi in
Octafc sci Johis Bap? Anno Regni Reg Henr fit Reg Johis
vicesimo scdo Cora Wilto de Eborf Rofcto de Bello Campo
Wilto de sco Edmundo T: Jordano Oliu iustic itinlantib3 T; aliis
dni Reg fidelib3 tuc ibi psentib}. In? Symone de Pylesdon
petente T; Jonm Abfem de Forde tenente de duab3 Carucatis ?re
cu ptin in Lefford 1 in Cundebur vfi placitu fuit in? eos in
eadem Cur scit qd jpdict9 Symo remisit T: quie? clamauit de se
1 heredib3 suis ipi Abbi T; successorib3 suis T; Ecclie sue de
Forde totu ius T; clamiu quod habuit in tota ^dca ?ra cu ptin
inppetuu. Et p hac remissione quieta clamanc fine 1 con-

FORD ABBEY. 175

cordia ide Abbas dedit pdco Symoni q""tuordeci marc T;
dimid argeti. Et si pdict Symo ut hedes sui dece?o aliq"~s
Cartas ut aliq"" munimeta us9 pdcm Abbm ul succ suos q^ntu
ad pdcas duas Carucatas ?re cu ptin in pdcis villis conta hue
fine ptulerint p' nullis penit9 habebunf. — Ibid. No. 283.

267. Roger succeeded, in whose abbacy the church was
completed, for under date 1239, in the Annals of Waverley,
we have " Ecclesia de Forda dedicata est a domino Willelmo
Exoniensi episcopo." John de Warwick followed, then
Adam, who became Abbot in 1240, and William, who died
and was buried at Waverley.

Hec est finat concordia fca In cur dni Reg ap Exon a die
see T'nit in q^deci dies ann Regn Reg Henr fit Reg Joft
vicesimo octavo. Cora Johe Atfce de Schyreburn Rogo de
Thurkelby Gilfoto de Fston T; Robto de Bello campo Justic
Itinlantib} T; aliis dni Reg fidelib} tuc ibi psentib} In? Abbm
de Ford quer 1 Ric de Laya deforc de secta q"" Ide Abfes
exig ab eodem Rico vnde Idem Afefes exigebat qd facet ei
secta de t'b} sept in tres septiin ad Hundr suu de Thornecube,
Et vnde plac fuit In? eos in eadem cur. Scift qd pdcs Ric
recogfi T: concessit p se T: tiedib} suis qd ipi de ce?o faciant bis
p annu sectam pdcm Hundr simt cu libis homib} suis T; cu
suo capital Thedingman T; duob} aliis homib} scilt semel sabto
pximo p9t Hokeday T; I?um sabto px p9t festu sci Michis. Ita
tn qd pdcs Thedlgman cu pdcis duob3 hoib} ad pdcos duos
dies most""re debet oia plac de Thedinga ipi9 Rici 1 feed suo^
ad pdcm Hundr ptinenc T; si aliq's ipox q' Ita seq1 debt ad
pdcos duos dies f uit in defal? Id Abb t succ sui oinia iporx
ainciamta Integre habnt T; oia alia amciamta de hom!b5 ipr
Rici T; bed suo^ ad eunde Hundr contingec In? pdcm Abbem
T; succ suos T; pdcm Ricm T; hed suos fidelit dimidiabntr T:
oia ilia amciamta taxari debent p pdcm Abbm T; succ ut Baltos
suos T; p pdcm Ricm T; nedes ul attrnatos suos. Et p?ea Idem
Ric concessit p se T: tied suis qd si aliq°d plac fuit in eodem
Hundr p Bre dni Reg ut latro fuit ibi Judicand ipi ut atfnati
sui sequi debet Hundr ipi9 Abbis de T^ sept In tres sep?
vsq, loquela ilia p Judm eiusdem Hundr plena? fuit t9miata.
Et p hac rec concessione fine T; cocordia. Idem Abbs rein T;
q'et clam de se T; succ suis T: Ecctia sua de Forde pdco Rico
"1 tied suis oia arreragia T; oms alias sectas q""s ab code Rico
exigibat T: oia dampn que dicebat se tiuisse occasione sub""ccois
pdce secte usq^ ad diem quo hec concordia tea fuit. — Feet of
Fines. Henry III. No. 316.

176 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Hec est finat concordia fca in Cur Dni Keg apud Exon a
die see Trinitatis In q'ndecim dies anno regni Reg Henr fit
Reg Johis vicessimo octavo coram Jotie Abbte de Schryreburn
Rog'o de Thurkelby Gilbto de Preston T: Robto de Bello Campo
Justic ItiSantibj T: allis dni Reg fidelib} tuc ibi psentib} Int
Adam Abbem de Forde querptrem Wirlm Monachu suu poitum
loco suo ad luc"~ndu ut pdendu T; Hug Peuel de Erminton
deforc de annuo rediditu decem libr Cere vnde Idem Abbs
questus fuit qd decem libre eiusdem redditus ei aretro fuerut
de vno anno. Et vnde placitu fuit int eos in eadem Cur scif t qd:
fJdcs Hug recognouit \ concessit eidem Abbti decem libr Cere
p annu ; pcipiendas ipi Abbti successorib} suis de Molendino
de Erminton p manu Balti ipius Hug T; faedum suo& de Ermin-
ton ad festu sci Mictiis apud Exon inppetuu. Et p h""c
recogn concessione fine T; concordia Idem Abbs remisit T;
quie? clam de se T; succ suis eidem Hug T; lied suis omia
arreragia pdci redd pdcar decem libr Cere vsq, ad diem quo
hec concordia fca fuit. — Ibid. No. 328.

268. William of Crewkerne was the tenth abbot, and his
time was famous for the great dispute between him and Bishop
Bronescombe, the particulars of which are detailed by Oliver,
and the documents given at length in the appendix to the
Monasticon. His name occurs in the following legal pro-
ceedings : —

Hec est final concordia fca In cur dni Reg^ apd Exon In
Octab see Trinitatis Anno regni Reg Henr fit Reg Johis
Tricesimo tercio Cora Rog'o de Thurkelby Grilbto de Preston
T; Johe de Cobbefa Justic Itinlant 1 aliis dni Reg fidel tuc
ibi psentibus In? Radm de Trewurtheth petn T: Adam Abbem
de Laforde ten de vno ferlingo ?re T; dimid cu ptin in Opecote.
Unde plac fuit in? eos in ead" Cur Scilt qd pdcs Rads rem
T: quie't clam de se T: hed suis pdcV) Abbi 4 succ suis T: Ecctie
sue de Forde totu Jus T; clamiu qd huit in pdca ?ra cu ptin
imppeL Et p h"~c rem quieta clam fine 1 cone Idem Abbas
dedit pdco Rado duas M""cas argiiti. — Feet of Fines.
Henry III. No. 435.

Hec est finat concordia fca in cur dni Reg apud Westfri
In Octab sci Hillar anno regni Reg Henr fit Reg Joriis qjn-
quagesimo scdo Coram M""rtino de Litlebir Magro Rog'o de
Seyton T: Johe de Cobbeh^m Justic T; aliis dni Reg fidelib} tuc
ibi psentib} In? Magrm Thorn de Wymundeh^m psonam
Ecctie de Pahambir petn ~t Wiltm Abbem de fforde tenetem

FORD ABBEY. 177

de vno fferlingo T; vna acra tre cum ptiri in Tale, vnde Jurata
vtrum pdca terra cu ptin sit liba elemosina ptines ad pdcam
Ecctiam an laicu feodu ipius Abfeis sum fuit int eos in eade
cur. Scitt qd pdcs Abbs recogn pdcam ?ram cu ptin esse
Jus pdce Ecctie T; pdcm ferlingu terre cu ptin ei reddidit in
eadem cur T; remisit T; quieteclafh de se T; succ suis T; Ecctia
sua de fforde pdco Thorn T; succ suis psonis pdce Ecctie T;
Ecctie pdce Inppet. Et p hac recogn reddicone remissioe
q'eta clarn fine \ cocordia. Idem Thorn cocessit pdco Abbi
pdcam acram terre cu ptin. Habn T: Teuendf eide Abbi T;
succ suis T: Ecctie sue pdce de pdco Thom T; succ suis psonis
pdce Ecctie ippet. Reddn inde p anh vnu clauu Gariophili
ad Pasch p omi suico cons T; exaccone. Et hec cocordia fca
fuit ex assensu T; volutate Wal?i Epi Exori T; earn concedentis.
—Ibid. No. 603.

jf Abbas de Forde sum fuit ad respond dno Regi de pfito At Exeter,
quo Waranto clam lire vi§ franc pleg emend assise panis 1 Octave of St.
cvis fracte furc in Kentesbery T: Tliornecombe sine licenc T;c. g.io^dw I

Et Abbas p Atorfi suu venit Et quo visum f^nci pleg in A.D 1281.
Kentesbyr die qd nich inde clam Et quo ad emend as§ panis
T; cui§ fdcte T; furc in eadem villa. Et quo ad emend as§
panis T; c^vig f^cte furc T; visum f^nci pleg in Thorncombe
dicit qd ipse 1 omnes pdec sui a tpe quo no exstat memor
huunt emend asS panis 1 cvi§ in Kentesbyr T; visum f""nci
pleg T; emend ass panis 1; cvi§ f""cte In Thomcumbe pet qd
inquirar.

Et Witts de Gryselh""m qui sequir T;c Die qd huj2mo
libtates spalit ptinent ad Coronam dfii Regis Et desic nullu
War inde ostend de dno Rege pet Judm.

Dies dat9 est coram dno Rege a die Pasch in unu mensem
ubicuq, T;c de aud: judico.

M

Assize Roll Devon 1
34

1 Memb : 20d.

269. Nicholas, who was blessed at Axminster 1st Jan. 1283,
by Bishop Quivill, followed. William de Fria succeeded,
and, having been able to be of great use to the Convent, was
persuaded to resign it for Newenham, where similar services
were much needed. However he remained there only about
four years, when he returned to Ford, and resumed his place
as a simple monk. Dying at Ford, his body was removed to
the Abbey he had evidently loved so well, for interment.

178 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

270. Henry took the place of William de Fria on his re-
signation, and was Abbot until 1319. The grant of the fair
at Thornecombe, which was continued down to the year
1770, I give from the Charter Roll.

p' Abbe et ty Archiepis T; T;c. saltm. Sciatis nos concessisse T; hac
Conventu de carta nra confirmasse dlicis nob in xpo Abbati T: Conventui
de Forda qd ipi T; successores sui imppm heant unu mercatu
singtis septimanis p diem mercurii apud maneriu suu de
5 -£eb- Thorncube in Com Devon, et una feria ibidem singiis annis
p sex dies duraturam vidett in die martis in septimana Pasche,
et p qunick dies sequentes. Nisi iScatu illud T; feria ilia sint
ad nocumentu vicinox mercatofc T; vicinafc feriafc. Quare
volum9 T; firmit pcipinr9 p nobis T; heredib} nris qd pdci
Abbas T; Conventus T; successores sui imppm heant pdca mer-
catu T; feriam apud MaSiii suu pdcm cum omnib} libtatib} T;
libis consuetudinib3 ad hujusmodi mercatu T: feria ptinen-
tib}. Nisi mcatu illud T; feria ilia sint ad nocumentu vicinor^
rScator^ T; vicinari feria^ sicut ^dcm est. Hiis testib3 veSa-
bilibj pribj W. Wigorfi. W. Exofi Epis Gilfeto de Clare
Comite Glouc T; Hertford Adomaro de Valencia Comite
Pembr Hug le DespenS Witto le Latimer. Nicho de Seg^ve
T: aliis. Dat p manu nram apud WindeS quinto die Febf p fine
contents in alia carta inferius.* — Charter Roll 6 Edward II.
No. 106, mem. 17, section 36.

5^ ofnnib} ad quos T;c saltm. Sciatis qd cum p tras nras
patentes concesserim5 T; licenc dederimus p nobis T; her nris
quantu in nobis est dilcis nob in xpo Abbi T; Conventui de
fford qd ipi decem libratas rrai ten T; redditu de feodo suo
pprio adquirere possint hendTitened sibi T; succ suis imppetuu
Statute de ?ris T: ten ad manu mortuam T;c put in iris pdcis
plenius coi)tinetr. Nos volentes concessione nram pdcm debito
eftcui mancipari concessim9 T; lie dedini9 p nob T: her nris
quantu in nobis est Wifto de Pillaunde T: Nichs Portebref
qd ipi vnu meS vnu molendinu Triginta acras tre tres acras
p"~ti T, tres acr more 1 alneti cum ptin in Wheteham 1
BurghstoS et Thome de Langedon qd ipe vnu meS duodecim
acr tre T; tres acr bosci cum ptiii in Thornecobe et WiiJo de
Watelegh qd ipe viginti T; tres acr tre T; duas acr alneti cum
ptin in Watelegn iuxta Wynesham que de pdcis Abbe T; Con-
ventuf T; que valent p annu in omibj exitibj iuxta veru va-

* This is No. 26 on the same Roll, being a Confirmation of a Charter of
King John granting the church of Tornecumbe, &c., &c. Dated 10 Oct. in
the tenth year of his reign. Confirmation dated 5 Feb. (as above).

t " tenentur " omitted.

FORD ABBEY. 179

lorem eo^dem quatuordecim solid T; quatuor denar sieut p
inquisicoes p delcm clicum nrm Magrm Johem Walewayn
Escaet nrm cit"" Trentam de mandate firo fcas 1 in Can-
cellar nra retornatas comptu est dare possint T; assignare
eisde Abfoi T; Conrentui ftend ""I tenend sibi et succ suis
imppetuu in pte satisfaccois dece libratarx ?re ten T; reddituu
fJdcorx. Et eisde Abbi T; Con veil tui qd ipi {Jdca me§ Molen-
dinu ?ram p"~tum boscum moram T; Alnetu cum ptin a
pfatis Witto Nicho Thoma T; Witto recipe possint 1; tenere
sibi T; succ suis pdcis imppetuu sicut pdcm est tenore psenciu
similit1 licenc dedimus spalem Statute pdco non obstante.
Nolentes qd pdci Witts Nicfes Thomas *i Witts vel heredes
sui aut pfati Abbas T; Conventus seu succ sui rone statuti
pdci p nos vel her nros inde occonenf molestent1" in aliquo
seu g""ventr. Salvis tamen Capitalib} dnis feodi illius ^viciis
lc. In cui9 ^Ic. T. R apud Westm. xxv. die Octobr. — Patent
Roll 11 Edw. II. pars 1, m. 21.

271. William, who patronised Charmouth, was confirmed
22 Sept. 1219. His successor John appears to have under-
taken the repairs of the buildings of his house, then become
dilapidated judging from his reply to Bishop Grandisson,
who asked for a money grant to enable him to comply with
the large demand of the Court of Rome. John replied that
his buildings and his church were ruinous, and with great
humility begged that the Abbey might not be called upon to
contribute to the subsidy. Still he seems to have acquired
land for the house, as the following from the Patent Roll
shows : —

fy ofnib} ad quos Tic sttm. Sciatis qd cum de gra nra p Abbatc
spali p littj as nras patentes concesserimus T; licenciam dederi- fforde.
mus p nobis T; heredibx nris q"~ntum in nobis est dilcis nofe in
Xpo Abbati T: conventui de fforde qd ipi decem libratas tlrax
tenemento^ T; reddituum de feodo suo pprio adquirere possint
fiend T: tenend sibi T; successorib) suis imppetuu. Statute de
?ris T; teii ad manu mortuam non. ponend edito non obstante,
put in lit?is pdcis plenius continetr nos volentes concessionem
nram ^dcam debito effectui mancipari concessimus T: licenciam
dedimus p nobis T; heredib} nris q^ntum in nobis est Witto
de Pillaunde T; Nicho iPortebrief qd ipi quinquaginta acras
tre T; viginti acras more cum ptin in Watelegft que de ^dcis
Abbate T: conventu tenentr T; que valent p annuu in omnib)
exitib} iuxta veram valorem eoxdem quindecim solid 1; decem
denar sicut p inquisicoem p dilcm cticum nrm Magrm Joftem

2B

180 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Walewayn imp Escaetorem nrm vltra Trentam de mandate
nro hide fcam T; in Cancellaf nra retornatam est comptum
dare possint T; assignare eisdem Abbati T: conventui habend T;
tenend sibi Tt successorib} suis imppetuu in ptem satisfaccois
decem librata^ tra^ tenfi T; reddituu p\lco^. Et eisdem Abbati
T; conventui qd ipi tram T; mora pdca cum ptin a pfatis Wifto
T; Nicho recipe possint T; tenefe sibi T; successoribj suis pdcis
imppetuu sicut fJdcm est tenore psencium similit licenciam
dedim9 spalem statuto pdco non obstante. Nolentes qd pdci
Wifto T; Nichus vel her sui aut pYati Abbas T: conventus seu
successores sui rone statuti pdci p nos vel her nrosindeocconent1"
in aliquo seu gaventr. Sal vis tamen capitalib3 dnis feodi illius
?viciis inde debitisT; consuetis. In cui9 T;c. T. Rf apud Ebo^.
xxx. die Dec.— Patent Roll, 13 Edw. II., m. 24.

272. John de Chidley succeeded John, 24 June, 1330, and
seems, although his reputation did not stand high, to have
had several legal matters upon his hands in connection with
the property of the Abbey.

Devon. Johnes Abbas de fforde p att suu op. se iiij die vsus

Ranulphu Blaunmoster T; Alic vxem eius Ricm de Combe T;
Waltm de Edyngton de plito q^re cepnt auia ipius Abfeis T;
ea iniuste detinue? cont"" vadiii T; pleg T^c Et ipi n5 ven Et
huer inde die hie ad hunc die ex pficcoe T;c Judm attach qd
sit hie in Octab sci Michis 1c. — De Banco Roll, Easter 17
Edw. III. memb. 26d.

Devon. Abbas de fforde p Johem de Crukern att suu op. se iiij die

vsus Henr de sco Claro vicariu ecclie de Brodewyndesore de
plito qd reddat ei ronabilem compotu suu de tempe quo fuit
receptor denar ipius Abbis T;c Et ipe no ven Et sicut plur
prec fuit vie qd cap eu T:c Et vie modo mand: qd no est
inuent5 T:c I'o sicut plur prec est vie qd cap eu si Tx Et
saluo T:c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie a die see Trinita? in xv
dies p Justic \c Et vie sit Tx:. — Ibid. memb. 88.

Devon. Abbas de fferde p Ricm Beynyn at? suu op se iiij die v*sus

Johem de Cloptofi de plito qd redd ei ronabilem compotu suu
de tempe quo fuit receptor denar ipius Abfcis T;c Et ipe no
ven Et pc fuit vie qd cap eu si T;c Et vie modo mad qd n5
est inuent9 T;c I'o sic pjus prec est vie qd cap eu si T;c Et
saluo Tx Ita qd heat corpus eius' hie a die see T'nitatis in xv
dies p Justic "tc Et vie sit Tx. — Ibid. memb. 145.

Idem Abbas p pdcm atl suu op. se iiij. die vsus Rofcfrn

FORD ABBEY. 181

Jlmystre T; Adam Rogge de plito q^re vi T; armis decem
boues T; q"~tuor vaccas ipius Abbis pcii decem marcax apud
Tale inventos ceput T; abduxerunt \ alia enormia ei intuler
ad gaue dampnu ipius Abbis T; cent0" pace Ic Et ipi no ven
Et p?c fuit vie qd cap eos si 1c Et vie modo mand qd no sut
inuenti ^tc I'o sic p'us prec est vie qd cap eos si T;c Et saluo
*\c Ita qd heat corpa eoj hie ad pfatu ?minu p Justic T;c Et
vie sit T;c. — Ibid. memb. 145.

273. Adam was confirmed Michaelmas-day, 1354. Abbot
John did not undertake the repairs of the church, whatever
he might have done to the other buildings, for we find that
about this time the edifice required rebuilding. The follow-
ing extracts from the White Book of Tenures are interesting: —

Octobre Novembr Ian Dengt xxix Cornewaille

Edward lc. A nos efts vadlet} Rofet de Eleford fire Sen de
Corn T; Devene§ T; Johan de Skirbeekf gardein de nos feod}
illeoqs 1 a vn de eux salu}. N're ch en dieu Abbe de fforde
no9 ad moustree p sa peticion a fire conseil grevousement
compleignant q vous fire dit feoder lui destreigne} de iour en
autre pr relief a no9 paier T; seute faire a fire Court de
Bradenessh pr cteines tres T; ten} es villes de lyntofi Countes-
bury T; looford en Countee de DeveneS queles il tient a ce qil
dit en pure T; ppetuelle aumoigne, et en affermance de son
estat en cele ptie si ad il moustree devant fire conseil vn fait
p quel Gueras * de Pilesdofi g*unta T; p sa chartre conferma
a leglise nre dame de fforde T; as Moignes illeoqs dieu ^vant}
la tre de lefford T; la tre de Cuntebury ove ses app"~tenances
ensemblement ove lewe pentre Cuntebury T; lyntofi quele ewe
il retynt devs lui pr ?me de sa vie la revsion au dit Abbe.
A tenir en pure T; ppetuelle Aumoigne quel doun Henri Tracy
filz Witt Tracy conferma p. sa chartre f et auxi vne chartre p
quele Henr filz au Counte dona a dieu T; nre dame de fford
T. as Moignes illeoqs dieu svant} la Vre de Cuntebury T;
lyntofi ove touj ses apprtenances. A tenir de lui T; de ses
heirs en pure v~t ppetuelle aumoigne quits de toutes manes
seculers svices T; demandes en maSe come Henr de Tracy
g""unta meisme la ?re as dit} Moignes empriant q no2 lui
veuilliens s"" ce faire droit p quei p avis de fire conseil vous
maundons q vous ctifie} fire conseil a Iond9s quel estat no9
avons en la §""ie des dites ?res. Et face} diligealment enquerre
p quel ?vice le dit Gueras qi p^es enfeoffa le dit Abbe tynt
les dites tres de Henr de Tracy ou dautre coment T; en quele

* Written (fo. 64) " Gerveys." f Oliver, p. 347.

2B2

182

THE CISTEECIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Cornewaille.

Touch' les
Abbeet
Covent
de fforde.

Som's.

manJe, et si le dit Abbe tiegne au?s Pres T: tenj es dites villes
q ne sont comp'ses en les dit3 faitj adonqs quelles ?res ces
sont T; de qi ces sont tenu} T; p queux svices Et ent cltifie} fire
conseil entre cy T: la xv de seint Hillair psch avenir. Et
chargeons vous fire dit feeder q vo9 s"~seie3 de la destresce
quele vous faites $s le dit Abbe pr les choses devantdites entre
cy T: la dite xv. Et ce ne Iesse3. Don 'tc a Westm le xxix
iour Doctobr Ian xxix.

p T; Iev[e]sq3 de Wync T; p bille endossee

p Skipwith.

The White Book of Tenures in Cornwall, 25—39 Eclw. III.,
fol. 58.

%* At fo. 64 a letter of the Prince, dated at London,
1 1 July, 30 E. III., that Robert de Eleford has fully certified
to the Council as to the matters above ordered, and directing
inquiry to be made " si no9 eous lestat le dit mon§ Henri de
Tracy en dit Manoir ou del vn T; del autre."

Juyl Ian xxxj. As auditors

des accomptes de no} Ministres saluj. Coment no9 feismes
ore tard s"~veer T; examiner p les sages de fire conseil les
euquestes p^es a fire maundement devant Robt de Elford fire
Sen de Cornewaiil T; DeveneS T; Johan de Shirbeh} Gardein
de 1103 feod3 illeoqs T; devant fire dit conseil ret""neer touch
labbee 1 covent de fforde avis estoit a fire dit conseil q p""
rien q feust Adonqs trove no9 ne deyvons seute nautre svice
de eux demander p reson de ?res comp^es en mesmes les
enquestes si mandasmes p 1103 auts tres a 1103 dit3 Sen T;
Grardein de feod3^qils ne destreignassent les dit3 Abbe T; Coven
p cause des dites Vres centre reson a ce q semble vous mandons
p avis de fire dit conseil q s"" la compte du dit Johan lui face3
descharger de la some susdite. Et ceste fre vo9 ent sra garr.
Don T;c a Iond9s en losticl levesq^ Dely le xj iour de Juyl Ian
^c xxxj 1c.— Ibid. fol. 76.

274. John Chylheglys seems to have succeeded Adam. He
was Abbot in the year 1373. His successor, Walter Burstok,
was confirmed 16 April, 1378. The proceedings referred to
in the following extracts occurred in his time.

jf Abbas de fforde p Jonem Crukerfi att suu op. se iiijto
die vsus Adam Hodeforde de plito qd reddat ei quadraginta
T; duos solid quos ei debet iniuste detinet T;c Et ipe non venit
Et pc fuit vie qd sum eu Et vie modo mand qd nichil feet

FORD ABBEY. 183

J'o pc est vie qd capiat eu si Ic Ita qd heat corpus eius hie
a die see Trinitatis in xv dies p Justic. — De Banco Roll, Easter
9 Rich. II. m. 104d.

jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Crukern attorn suu op. se iiij10 Devon,
die v'sus Robtum Cornu Chiualer de ptito qd reddat ei quad-
raginta solid quos ei debet T; iniuste detinet 1c Et ipe non
venit Et sicut plur fuit distr p catalla ad valenc duo£ solid
Et in p Johem Hunt T; Henr Hift J'o ipi in mia Et sicut
plur distr qd sit hie a die see Trinitatis in xv dies p Justic. —
Ibid. m. 151.

jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Crukern att suu op. se iiijto die Devon,
vsus Thoma Kernere T. Elena vxem eius 1 Wiltm fit eorad
Thome T; Elene de plito quare cu de coi consilio regni Regis
Angt puisu sit qd non liceat alicui vastu vendicoem seu des-
truccoem face de rris domib} boscis seu gardinis sibi dimissis
ad t'minu vite vel anno* iidem Thomas Elena T; Wifto de ?ris
domib} boscis T: gardinis in Thorncombe que Johes de ffar-
yngdon nup Abbas de fforde pdecssor pdci nunc Abbis eis
dimisit ac vita ipox Thome Elene T; Witi fecerunt vastu ven-
dicoem '1 destruccdem ad exher ecctie ipius nunc Abbis be
Marie de fforde 1 cont"" forma puisionis pdce T;c Et ipi non
ven Et pc fuit vie qd distr qd eos Et vie modo mand qd
bre adeo tarde T;c J'o sicut prius distr qd sint hie a die see
Trinitatis in xv dies p Justic ad que die vie non mis bre J'o
sicut plur distr qd sint hie a die sei Michis in xv dies. — Ibid,
m. 228.

jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Crukern att suu op. se iiijto Devon,
die v'sus Thoma StremyngC vicar ecctie de Thorncombe de (m- 3910
ptito quare cu idem Abbas diis MaSii de Thornecombe existat
~t here debeat ipeq^ T; omes pdecessores sui dni Maraii pdci a
tempore quo non exstat memoria ibide here consueuer quand
cur de hoib} T; tenentib} suis MaSii pdci in quoda loco infra
idem MaSiu p cur pdca de trib} septimanis in tres septias
antiquit vsitat pdcus Thomas Nichm Bolour balliuia ipius
Abbis ad Cur pdcm apud Thornecombe in loco pdco tenend}
p pfatu Abbem deputa? quomin9 idem Nichus Cur illam ibidem
tenere potuit vi T; armis impediuit p quod idem Abbas pficuu
quod de Cur pdca si ibidem tenta fuisset pcepisse debuisset
amisit T; alia enorrnia ^c ad dampnu ipius Abbis quadraginta
librae T; cont"" pace Reg T; Et ipe non ven Et sicut prius
pceptu fuit vie qd capet eu Tt Et vie modo mand qd non est
inuentus J'o sicut plur pc est vie qd capiat eu si T:c Ita qd

184 CISTEKCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

heat corpus eius hie a die see Trinitatis in vx dies d Justic. —
Ibid. m. 391.

275. Nicholas was the next Abbot. His name occurs as
early as 1388, Oliver says, but without giving his authority ;
but in one of the following entries from the De Banco Roll
we have an Abbot Walter, in Hilary Term, 2 Hen. IV.

Devon. jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Sparowe att suu op se iiijto die

vsus Laurenciu Archere de piito quare vi 1 armis arbores T;
subboscum ipius Abftis apud Satteburgh nup crescentes suc-
cidit T: in sepali piscaria sua ibm piscatus fuit T; piscem hide
ac arbores 1 subboscum pdcos ad valenciam viginti librap
cepit T; asportauit T; alia enormia T:c. ad g^ue dampnu T;c. et
cont"~ pace Regf T;c. Et ipe non vefi Et prec fuit vie qd distr
eu Et vie modo mand qd nichil het T;c p quod potest distri
J'o prec est vie qd capiat eu si T;c Et salus T;c Ita qd heat
corpus eius hie a die Pasche in tres septimanas T:c. — De Banco
Roll, 19 Ric. II. m. 166.

Devon. jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Sparowe aft suu op se iiijto die

vsus Georgia Crukerfi T; Gralfrm Smyth de pfito quare vi T;
armis clausa ipius Abbis apud Bromhille T; Wythewylle frege-
runt T; arbores T; subboscum suos ad valenciam centu solidor^
ibm nup crescentes succider T: asportauer T; blada T: hbam
sua ad valenciam decem marcax ifem nup crescentia cu qui-
busdam auiis depasti fuerunt conculcauer T: consump§ T; alia
enormia T;c ad g""ue dampnu T:c et cont"" pace RegC T;c Et ipi
non veil Et pc fuit vie qd attachet eos Et vie modo mand qd
nichil hent T;c. J'o prec est vie qd capiat eos si T;c. Et saluo
T;c. Ita qd: heat corpora eo& hie a die Pasche in tres septi-
manas T:c. — Ibid. m. 167.

Devon. jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Sparowe att suu op se iiijto

die vsus Greorgiu Knyf T; Thoma Crukerfi cticum de piito
quare vi T; armis in sepali piscaria ipius Abbis apud Shyterok
piscati fuerunt T; piscem inde ad valenciam decem marcaa
ceper T; asportauer T; alia enormia 1c ad gu""e dampnu T;c et
cont"" pace Regf T;c. Et ipi non ven. Et pc fuit vie qd attachet
eos. Et vie modo mand; qd nichil hent T;c. J'o prec est vie qd
capiat eos si T;c. Et saluo T^c. Ita qd heat corpora eor^ hie a
die Pasche in tres septimanas T;c. — Ibid. m. 167.

Devon. jj- ^bbas de fforde T: fra? Henr Kernere comonacus

eiusdem Abbis p Johem Sparowe attorn suu op se iiijto die

FORD ABBEY. 185

vsus Johem Crawelegh de ptito qd reddat eis quadraginta Tt

sex solidos T; octo denar quos ei debet T; iniuste detinet Ic. m> 167 d'

Et ipe non ven Et sicut plur fuit distr p catalla ad Valencia

duodecim denar Et ilt p Juone Donne 1 Luca Moune I'o

ipi in mia Et sicut plur prec est vie qd distr eu p orhes ?ras

T;c Et qd de exi? T;c Et qd heat corpus ems hie a die

Pasche in tres septiraanas p Justic T;c. — Ibid. m. 167 d.

jf Abbas de fforde p Johem Spwe att suu op se iiijto die Devon.
vsus Johem atte Wille de ptito quare vi T; armis bona T;
catalla ipius Abbis ad Valencia quadraginta librafc apud fforde m- 186-
inuent cepit T; asportauit T; Walrum Whyte natiuu T; suientem
suu in ?uico suo ibid existent cepit T: abduxit p quod idem
Abbas suiciu natiui 1 ?uientis sui jpdci p magnu tenipus
amisit T; alia enormia T;c T; cont"" pacem Regis T;c. Et ipe non
venit Et pc fuit vie qd attach eu Et vie modo mand qd nichil
het I'o pc est vie qd capiat eu si T;c. Ita qd heat corpus
eius hie a die Pasche in tres septlas p Justic. — Ibid. m. 186.

jf Walftis Abbas de fforde Robtus Borde Bocher Witts Devon,
atte Horsmylle Johes Baker T; Stephus Eueray attach fuerunt
ad respondend Edwardo Osborne vicario ecctie de Thorne-
combe de ptito quare vi T; armis clausum ipius Edwardi apud
Thornecombe fregerunt T; quatuor vaccas T; sexaginta porcos
suos ibidem inuentos cum quibusdam canib3 fugauerunt canes
illos ad mordend: vaccas T; porcos pdcos in tantum incitando
qd p fugacoem illam T; morsus canu pdcoji due vacce T;
quadraginta poroi pcii decem marca^ de vaccis T; porcis pdcis
int?ierunt T; vacce T; porci residui multiplici? detiorati fuerunt
ac vaccas T; porcos residues ibidem ceperunt 1 imparcauerunt
1 eos ibidem sic imparcatos quousq, idem Edwardus finem p
quadraginta solidos p delibacoe vaccar^ T; porcor^ residuor^
pdcox henda cum pfatis Abfee Robto Wifto Johe T; Stepho
fecisset^ detinuerunt Et alia enormia ei intulerunt ad g"~ue
dampnu ipius Edwardi Et cont"" pacem dfii Rf nup Regis
Angt scdi post conquestum Ic Et vnde idem Edwardus p
Johem Goold attorn suu queritr qd pdci Abbas Rofetus Witts
Johes T: Stephus die lune px post festu sci Michis Anno
regni dfii Rf nup Regis Angt ?ciodecimo vi ^ armis scitt
gladiis arcub} T; sagittis clausum ipius Edwardi apud Thorne-
combe fregerunt T; quatuor vaccas T: sexaginta porcos suos
ibidem inuentos cum quibusdam canib3 fugauerunt canes
illos ad mordend vaccas T; porcos p\lcos in tantum incitando
qd p fugacoem illam T; morsus canu pdcox due vacce T;
quadraginta porci pcii 1c de vaccis T; porcis pdcis intierunt

186 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

T; vacce T; porci residui multiplied detiorati fuerunt ac vaccas
I porcos residues ibidem ceperunt T; imparcauerunt 1 eos
ibidem sic imparcatos quousq> idem Edwardus finem lc p
delibacoe vacca& 1 porco^ residue^ pdcor^ henda cum
pYatis Abbe Hobto Wilfo Johe T; Stepho fecisseL detinuerunt
Et alia enormia T;c ad g^ue dampnu T;c Et con"" pacem
Ic Vnde die qd deftoratus est T; dampnu ftet ad valenciam
quadraginta librara Et inde pduc sectam T;c.

Et j?dci Abbas Robtus Witts Johes T; Stephus p Thomam
Martyn attorn suu ven Et defend vim T; iniur quando T;c Et
die qd ipi in nullo sunt culpabiles de t""nsgr pdca put pdcs
Edwardus supius vsus eos querit1" Et de hoc pon se sup priam
Et pdcus Edwardus similit I'o pc est vie qd venire fac hie a
die Pasche in xv dies xij T;c p. quos T;c Et qui nee T:c ad
recogfi Ic Quiatam^c. — Ibid. 2 Hen. IV., Hilary, m. 138d.

As I have said, it will be noticed that here we have Walter
mentioned as Abbot. The explanation may be that the pro-
ceedings were commenced in Walter Burstok's time, and his
name continued on the pleadings after his death.

jf Abbas de fforde p attorn suu op se iiijto die v'sus Thomam
Splent de pfito qd reddat ei ronabilem compotum suu de
tempe quo fuit balliuus suus in Westforde T; receptor denariora
ipius Abbis Et ipi non ven Et prec fuit vie qd sum eum T;c
Et vie modo mand qd nichil het T;c I'o prec est vie qd capiat
eum si T;c Et saluo T;c Ita qd heat corpus eius hie a die Pasche
in vnii Mensem T;c. — Ibid. m. 459.

De Banco Boll ; Trin. 2 Henry IV.

Devon. jj" Abbas de fforde cf attorn suu op se iiijto die vsus Thomam

Splent de piito qd ei reddat ei ronabilem compotu suu de
tempore quo fuit ballivus suis in Westforde T; receptor denario*
ipius Abbis Et ipe non ven Et sicut prius prec fuit vie qd
capet eum T:c Et vie modo non misit bre T;c I'o sicut plur
capitat"" qd sit hie in Octab sci Michis Ic. — Ibid. Trin. 2 Hen.
IV., m. 2958.

Devon. jf Abbas de fforde p attorn suu op se iiijto die vsus Johem

Smyth de Tale T; Johem Seger de Taleton de piito quare vi T;
armis clausa ipius Abbis apud Talefregeruntrllibam warrenna
sua ibm intraverunt 1 in ea sine licencia T: voluntate sua
fugaverunt T: in sepali piscaria sua ibm piscati fuerunt T:
pi seem inde ad valenc centu solido^ ac lepores cuniclos phasi-
anos 1 pdices de warrenna ^dca ceperunt T; asportaverunt et
alia enormia T:e et cont"" pacem 1c Et ipi non ven Et prec fuit

FORD ABBEY. 187

vie qd attach eos lc Et vie mand qd nichil hent T:c I'o capiant'
qd sint hie in Octabis sci Mictiis T:c. — Ibid., Trinity, 8 Hen.
IV., m. 409.

276. Of the succeeding abbots until the last we know very
little. John Bokeland was confirmed 10 June, 1419. Eichard
succeeded him. Robert occurs in 1448.

jf Abbas de fforde p attorn suu op se iiijto die vsus Gilfctum Devon.
Pyper alias dcm Gilfctum Boteswayn de Elleworth in Com
DorS husbondman de piito t""nsgr Et ipe non ven Et prec fuit
vie qd attachet eu Tx Et vie retorn qd ipi nichil het T;c p quod
T;c I'o prec est vie qd capiat eu si 1c Et salvo T:c Ita qd heat
corpus eius coram duo Rege a die sci Hillar in xv dies vbicuq}
T;c Et vnde in xv sci Martini T;c. — Coram Rege Roll, Mich.
1 Hen. VI., m. 35.

277. The next entry in the De Banco Roll relating to Ford
gives the name of Walter, and thus enables me to add a new
abbot to the list. This is on the Roll for Michaelmas term,
38 Hen. VI.

jf Walrus Abbas de fforda p attorn suu op se iiijto die vsus Devon.
Wal?uin Colebroke de parochia de Columpton in Com fklco
Gentilman de plito quare cum idem Abbas in feodo suo apud
Oolbroke p conS T; suiciis sibi debitis p Waltum Holway
§uien? suu quedam auia capi fecisset T, idem Wal?us Holway
auia ilia scdm legem T; conS regni Regis Angt imparcare
voluisset pdcus Wal?us Colbroke auia ^dca vi T; armis res-
cussit Et alia enormia T;c ad g^ue dampnu Ic Et cont""
pacem Regis T;c. Et ipe non ven. Et prec fuit vie sicut
prius qd distr eum T;c. Et vie modo mand qd distr est p
catalla ad valenc duodecim denar. Et manuc p Edm Mate
T; Ricm Ware. I'o ipi in mia. Et sicut plur distr qd sit hie
in Octabis sci Hillar Ad que diem vie non mis bre I'o sicut
plur distr qd sit hie a die Pasche in vx dies T;c. — De Banco
Roll Mich. 38 Hen. VI. m. 52d.

278. My last extract, too, refers to a claim made in the
time of Walter, the newly found Abbot.

Walrus Abbas de fforde p attorn suu op se iiijto die vsus Devon.
Robtum Cammett de ffytelford in Com DorS Gentilman alias
dcm Rofctum Cammeft de Cammeft in Com DorS GeSosum
de ptito qd reddat ei decem libras quas ei debet T; iniuste

2c

188 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

detinet T;c. Et ipe non ven. Et prec fuit vie sicut prius qd
capet eum Tx:. Et vie mode maud qd non est inuent T;c.
I'o sicut plur capiatr qd sit hie in Octabis sci Hillar ^tc. —
Ibid. 253.

279. Then comes Elias, in 1462, and William White, who
was apparently Abbot for upwards of thirty years, from at
least as early as 1490 to 1521.

280. The last Abbot, Thomas Charde, otherwise Tybbes,
has left something more than a name. He was one of the
most distinguished men of whom the Abbey could boast. He
was not only an eminent scholar and divine, but the build-
ings at Ford show him to have been an artist of no mean
capabilities. Dr. Oliver has given a memoir, and Dr. J. H.
Pring has dealt with the history of his life in fuller detail.*
He succeeded in 1521. An account of his various prefer-
ments, some probably of great value, and given him to
support to some extent his dignity as Suffragan Bishop to
his Diocesan, Oldham, will be found in the memoirs to which
I have referred. He was evidently fond of building, and
remodelled the domestic buildings at Ford on a scale of great
magnificence. The beautiful tower, the north walk of the
cloister, all that now exists, and the new refectory, with his
initials, mitre, and abbot's cap, were as much admired by
his contemporaries as by succeeding generations. He sur-
rendered his house 8th March, 1539, at which time there was
the full number of thirteen monks. He did not survive the
fall long, dying full of years and honours early in 1544.

281. Thus Ford shared the fate of its sister houses. They
were all surrendered in 1538-9, but in all probability no
buildings were so perfect, and none were abandoned with
greater grief than this important foundation. Its revenues
amounted to £374 10s. 6£d., according to Dugdale, and its
possessions, besides those in the immediate neighbourhood of
the Abbey, extended into the adjoining counties of Somerset
and Dorset, and as far as Lynton and Countisbury on the north
coast.

282. The history of the Abbey after the dissolution is well
known, as it became the home of many distinguished families.
It and the adjoining land was first leased to Richard Pollard for
a term of twenty-one years, at an annual rental of £49 6s. 6d.,
but the following year, 23rd June, 1 540, the lessee obtained
from the king a conveyance in fee. Sir John Pollard suc-
ceeded his father, and sold Ford Abbey to his cousin, Sir
Amias Poulett, of whom William Rosewell, Queen Elizabeth's

* A Memoir of Thomas Chard, D.D., by James Hurly Pring, M.D., 1864.

FORD ABBEY. 189

Solicitor- General, bought it; and his son, Sir Henry Rosewell,
sold it to Edmund Prideaux, who, employing Inigo Jones,
proceeded to convert the domestic buildings of the convent
into a mansion, at what must have been a great expenditure.
In the Prideaux, Gwyn, and Fraunceis families the Abbey
continued down to 1847, when on the death of John Fraunceis
Gwyn it was sold to G. F. W. Miles, Esq., by whom however
it was not long retained, the present owner, Herbert Evans,
Esq., becoming its possessor by purchase.

283. No Cistercian building in England, perhaps none in
the world, remains in so perfect a state as that of Ford. The
site is on the south of the Axe river, the formation of the
ground compelling the monks to take that bank of the river
instead of, as they preferred, the north. The stream flowing
into the river rises in the ground south of the Abbey, and the
fish ponds which were constructed in its course still remain,
although somewhat altered in shape. The principal entrance
is now from the east, and the visitor approaching the Abbey
walks over the foundations of the antient church, and treads
under foot the dust of stately ecclesiastics and noble founders.

284. Not a vestige remains of the monastic church. The
entrance road crosses the north aisle, and the south side of
the cloister. This was not consecrated until 1239, but it
must not be supposed that there was no building for divine
service until that time. The whole of the buildings were in
all probability laid out from the beginning, and the work
completed as the bounty of the faithful allowed. It was the
finished church no doubt that was consecrated nearly a century
after the monks left Brightley. Within its walls the remains
of Richard the Viscount, Richard the Abbot, Adelicia (1142),
Hawisia de Courtenay (1209), Reginald or William de
Courtenay (1192-94), Robert de Courtenay (1242), and John
de Courtenay (1273), found resting places.

285. Turning to the right we shall enter a building fitted
up as a chapel, and usually considered to be the church of the
Abbey. This is a chamber of the greatest interest, it being
in fact no other than the chapter house of the monks. It is
of twelfth-century work, transitional Norman, with pointed
vault of two bays. In the extensive alterations of the Abbey
made by Edmund Prideaux, this was converted into the
domestic chapel of the mansion, and here Cromwell's Attorney-
General was buried in 1659. On the walls are various
memorial tablets.

286. Over the chapter-house would be originally the library.
This is now completely altered into a spacious modern room.

2c2

190 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

Through the library the monks passed from their dormitory
to the church, the staircase leading down to it being probably
in the north transept.

287. Still passing northward we enter a vaulted chamber
originally nearly 170 feet long, and divided by a central row
of eleven columns, all of which with the vaulting are perfect.
This building is of rather later date than the chapter-house,
and the work is of an elegant and delicate description. Over
it is the dormitory of the monks, almost perfect, although now
divided up to furnish sleeping apartments for the servants of
the mansion.

288. Eetracing our steps we come to the south front of the
house, and find ourselves in the north walk of the cloister.
This is eighty-two feet in length. All but this side is destroyed,
and the beautiful Perpendicular work is that of Charde the
last Abbot, whose memory is so intimately interwoven with
Ford. He did not scruple here to mingle his initials, T. C.,
and his episcopal and abbatial insignia, with the arms of the
Abbey and the King, on the many shields which decorate the
spaces between the buttresses and between and over the
tracery. Within the existing portion of the cloister and on
the north may be traced the ancient refectory (of the later we
shall speak presently), although it is blocked up with modern
partitions. The kitchen of the monastery remains the kitchen
of the mansion.

289. We now come to the domus conversorum, but a small
portion only of it remains. In its original state it extended
northward from the church, probably as far as the diverted
stream, which formed the common sewer of the house, and
was therefore at least two hundred feet long, the breadth
being twenty-six feet. The whole of this however was not
occupied by the convent, as traces of divisions can be made
out. Over were the dormitories of the lay brethren.

290. We now enter the hall, which is really the eastern end
of the new refectory of Abbot Charde. In its original state
this fine room was one hundred and fifteen feet long. The
western part was divided and altered by Inigo Jones to form
the state apartments, and, shorn as it is now of its fair propor-
tions, it still remains a very fine apartment.

291. The barn still remains, and between it and the western
end of Charde's refectory may be found remains, probably of
the gatehouse; for it was on this side, not on the east, that the
entrance formerly was.

292. The alterations made by Inigo Jones, while to a great
extent destroying many of the ancient features and disfiguring

FORD ABBEY. 191

the fine work of Charde, and mutilating its proportions,
tended to make the abbey a convenient and commodious
residence. The dining and drawing rooms are good apart-
ments with elaborate ceilings, and the staircase and saloon
are finely designed. But still, in spite of the interference
with his architecture and the incongruities of Inigo Jones's
additions, Charde's work remains pre-eminently beautiful,
and renders Ford Abbey perhaps the most interesting building
architecturally, as it is archasologically, in the west country.

293. The property of the Abbey was not of great extent,
although at the dissolution its annual value was second only
to that of Buckfast. It was, as I have said, situated in the
immediate neighbourhood of the Abbey, in the north of the
county, at Lynton and Countisbury, and in Somerset and
Dorset. Besides Adelicia, the later Courtenays endowed Ford
with some of their wealth and the Pomeroys also were its
benefactors.

294. The arms of the Abbey were a stag's head caboshed,
and the shields containing them may be found in various parts
of the buildings of Charde.

295. The seals of the Abbey so far known are but two.
One described by Oliver is oval, " divided into three com-
partments. In the upper part, between two pointed windows,
a bell appears suspended in a steeple. In the canopy beneath,
is the Blessed Virgin and Divine Infant. On the dexter side
is the Courtenay shield, Or, three torteaux, with a label of
three points. On»the sinister is the shield of Beaumont,
Barry of six vairy and gules. Below is an Abbot erect,
holding his crozier in his right hand and a book in his left,
and three persons on their knees." The legend is,

S. (Eommune JHonaatntt 13eate JSarte to

Another seal, and one not hitherto described, is said to
represent the Abbot between two shields, on the dexter that
of the Courtenays, and on the sinister a lion rampant. A
legend surrounds the device. This seal is appended to a grant
from William Toterigge and Mabilla his wife to Edward
Blakforde, John Forde Capellanus, and others, of tenements
in Sperhay. This deed was for sale by a firm of London
booksellers in 1875, but I have not been able to trace its
present owner.

296. With this brief account of Ford I bring to a close
this series of papers on the Cistercian Houses of Devon, and
trust that I have been enabled to add a little to their some-
what meagre history.

192

THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

APPENDIX.

LIST OP THE ABBOTS OF FORD.

Name.

Date.

Authorities.

Richard. .

1136

Harleian MSS.

Robert de Penynton

1137-1168?

Do.

Baldwin.

-1181?

Various.

Robert ....

. .

Harleian MSS.

John ....

1191-1120

Leland and Various.

John ....

Until 1236

Feet of Fines and Docu-

ments.

Roger . ...

In 1236

Documents.

John de Warwick .

Died in 1246

Harleian MSS.

Adam ....

. .

Do. Oliver.

William

Died 1262

01iver,Dugdale,and various.

William of Crukerne

1262

Various.

Nicholas

From 1283

Episcopal Register.

William de Fria

Resigned 1297

Various.

Henry ....

In 1312

Oliver.

William.

From 1319

Episcopal Registers.

John ....

. .

Do.

John de Chidley

From 1330

Do.

Adam ....

From 1354

Do.

John Chylheglys .

In 1373

Do.

Walter Burstok

From 1378

Do.

Nicholas

In 1388

Walter?

, .

See par. 275.

John Bokeland

From 1419

Episcopal Registers.

Richard .

. .

Oliver.

Robert ....

In 1448

Oliver.

Walter ....

In 1460

De Banco Roll.

Elias ....

In 1462

Oliver.

William White

In 1490

Various.

Thomas Charde

1521-1539

Various.

NEWENHAM ABBEY.

Mr. Davidson has very kindly furnished me with a trans-
cript from the Cartulary of (ilastonbury, in the Bodleian
Library, relating to Newenham Abbey, which I am very glad
to be able to add here.

The following seems to have been the substance of the
dispute.

The manor and hundred of Axminster, which belonged at
the Conquest to the King, were, by a donation in the year
1246, granted by Reginald de Mohun to the Abbey of
Newenham. The grant of the hundred carried with it the
right to have suit (secta) and service (servitium) from the
owners of the several tithings in the hundred, at the hundred
court, when the sheriff made his visitation or tourn. One of
the tithings in Axminster hundred was Uplyme, of which
manor the Abbot of Glastonbury was lord ; and it is to be
presumed that from and after 1246 the seneschal of the
Abbot of Glastonbury, on each occasion of a sheriffs tourn
being held at Axminster, presented himself and did suit
(secta) to the Abbot of Newenham for the tithing of Uplyme.
This " doing suit of court" had been and might be commuted
to a payment of ten shillings a year for the sheriff's tourn, and
a yearly rent of 6s. 8d. for horderisgeld, " hordarii geldum,"
or treasurer's tax, which seems to have been a peculiar
impost payable to a religious house when lords of a manor.
It happened, however, that upon the death of an Abbot of
Glastonbury, the fruits of the Abbey possessions became
vested in the crown during the vacancy, and the seneschal
neglected either to do suit of court, or to pay either the fee
due at the hundred court to the lord of the manor, or the
treasurer's tax, due to the Abbot of Newenham. Thereupon
it was alleged, a number of persons, twelve of whom are
named, went over from Newenham and its neighbourhood to
Uplyme, entered an enclosed field belonging to the Abbot of
Glastonbury, and there burnt some growing rushes and
other standing crops. At the same time one Robert Tudde,
bailiff of Axminster, seised and carried off 37 beasts belong-
ing to the Abbot, by way of distress for non-payment of the
fees due at the last sheriff's tourn. This led to a process of law
being instituted. A writ was issued to the sheriff to inquire
into the truth of the alleged enormities, and to attach the
wrong-doers. The retum made by the jurors on the 25th of
January, 1275, established the truth of the charges, and on
the 5th of February following a writ was issued by the
Crown, dated at Reading, which was in the nature of a

194 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

decree or judgment. It took the form of commanding the
Sheriff of Devon to take bail for the appearance of the
following persons — John, Abbot of Newenham, Brother
Henry de la Boneie, Luke le Messer, William Hussel,
William Todde, Richard de Cleyhulle, Nicholas Pin, and
Nicholas Dare, to shew cause why they, together with
Richard le Berker, Richard the son of Amiable of Shapwick,
John of Egelcumbe, John the son of Richard Care, and
William Salomon, and others, committed the acts above
mentioned ; also to shew cause why they did not appear on
the morrow of the Purification of the Virgin (2nd February)
as summoned by their sureties. The names of the sureties,
are then given.

For the Abbot

Reginald Fayth.

For the Friar Henry of Bouere £"a °°™-

Ihomas lait.

For Luke le Messer
For William

Velfais.
Reginald Copiner.

William Blonoch.
For Robert Tudde

For Nicholas de Cleihulle

Thomas Bal.
Richard le Pottere.

Nicholas Pin.

For Nicholas Pin I R^hard Humas.

( Walter Grey.

For Nicholas Dare I Thomas Grugg.

( Ihomas Tannur.

The writ goes on to direct the sheriff to take bail for Richard
le Berker, and the other delinquents named, to appear and
shew cause together with the eight defendants for whom bail
had been taken before.

The narrative of the law-suit is here interrupted in order to
introduce an agreement, made in October, 1275, between the
Abbots of Glastonbury and Newenham, with regard to the
boundaries of some contiguous lands, whereby in considera-
tion of thirty marks paid by the Abbot of Newenham to the
Abbot of Glastonbury, the dispute was settled, and all legal
proceedings stayed.

We then find an entry of a deed of release and quit-claim
on the part of the Abbot of Newenham to the Abbot of
Glastonbury of the hundred suit and sheriff's tourn due to
the former in respect of Uplyme, in consideration of forty

NEWENHAM ABBEY. 195

marks paid by the latter to the former. This last mentioned
deed is to be found in the register of Newenham, and has
been already observed upon.*

This is a transcript of the original —

MSS. Bodl: Wood i. 212_b.

jj" Processus placiti inter dmn regem et abbatem de Newen-
ham pro tras in manerio de vplim abbis Glastonie.

Breve originale.

Rex vicecomiti Devonie salutem quia accepim9 quod qui-
dam malefactores T; pacis nre perturbatores nuper uenerunt
ad quendam seperalem pasturam in vplim que pertinot ad
abathiam Glastonie in manu nra existente racione vacionis
cuiusdam T, de qua vltimus abbas eiusdem abbathie obiit
seisiau et jaun? T; alia in eadem pastura crescentia combus-
serunt T; alia enormia ibidem perpetrauerunt ad graue
dampnu ipius abbathie in nostri contempt9 manifestum T;
contra pacem nram tibi pcipimus quod per sacramentum
proborum T: legaliu holm de balliua tua per quod rei ueritas
melius sciri poterit diligenter inquiras qui predicta transgr9
fecerunt T; omnes illos quos per inquisicionem illam inde
culpabiles inueneris attachies ita quod heas corpora eorum
cora nobis in crastino PurificacoTs beate Marie vbicumq.
tune fuerimus in anglia ad respondent nobis de transgressioc
pdicta et habeas ibi hoc breue. Teste me ipo apud Marle-
berghe T;c.

.Ib. 212 b.

Inquisicio capta apd9 exoniam per pdict bre. Friday, 25 Jan.

Inquisicio capta apud Exoniam die veneris in festo con- 1275.
uersionis sancti Pauli anno regni Regis Edwardi tercio qui
malefactores T; pacis Domini Regis perturbatores nuper
uenerunt in quandaui seperalem pasturam in vplim que
pertinet ad abbathiam Glastonie et janta et alia in eadem
pastura crescentia combuscerunt T; alia enormia ibidem per-
petrauerunt in pijudiciu Domini Regis ad dampnum ipius
abbie manifestum T, contra pacem domini regis per sacramtum
Johannis de Hitone, Johannis fit Galfrid, Rog1 de Clauile,
Hugonis de Raleigh, Willi de la uerge, Willi Vinortheheie
Willi de Cranesweye, Henrici de Hayuile, Philippi de Combe,
Willi de esse, Roberti Russel, Roberto Pur, Waltero Wering,
Henrico de Wicrofte, Henrico de Hale, Ricardo de Boclande,
Roberto Beuener, Nicholai de la Forde, Jordano de la
Roche, Jordani de Harecumbe et Walteri de Fraunceis Qui
dicunt super sacramentum suum quod Henricus de la bouecte

* Davidson, Hist, of Newenham Abbey, pp. 24, 25.
2D

196 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

de Niwenham frater Bicardus de la Beker9, Lucas le messer
de Nywenham, Willm Russel de la bate, Robertas Todde
Ric9 filius amiable de schapewik, Johannes de Egelcumbe,
Johannes filius Ricardi Care de Egelcumbe, Henr9 filius
Dauid de Egelcumbe, Johannes de la Sale, Ricardus Wrange.
Ric9 faber T; Willms Salomon ""I alii multi quorum nomina
ignorant vi T; armis venerunt ad terram abbie Glastonie in
vplim que est in manu domini regis racione uacationis
abbathie predicte T; janta ipius abbie Glastonie in eodem
manerio crescentia contra pacem dni regis [combusserunt].
Et dicunt quod Robertus Tudde balliuus de Axminstre alia
enormia ibidem fecit videlicet cepit triginta '~t septem au9ia
ipius abbie Glaston pro quadam secta quam exigit abbas de
Niwenham ab abbatem Glastonie ad turnu quod senescallus
ipius abbis tenuit in vltimo hundredo suo quod tenuerunt post
festum sancti Michaelis vbi pdictus abbas Glastonie nullam
secta debet nee homines sui nee etiam homines de feodo ipius
abbatis Glastonie eo quod quieti sunt per carta abbatis et
conuentus de Newenham. In cuius rei testimoniu huic
inquisition! sigilla sua alternatiui apposuerunt. Da? dictis
die T; anno.

jf Breue judicii.

Rex vicecomiti deuonie salutem. Pone per uadium T;
meliores plegg* Johanne abbatem de niwenham fratrem
henricu de la bonei, lucam le messer, Willm Russel, Willm
Todde, Richin de cleyhulle, Nicholaum Pin 1 nichin dare
quod sint coram nobis a die pasche in quinta septim ad
riided' nobis de placito quare ipi simul cum fre Ricardo le
berker, Ricco filio amiable de schapewik, Johne de egelcumbe,
Johanne filio Ricci Care et Willmo Salomon et alii nuper
uenerunt ad quamdam seperalem pastur9 in vplim que
pertinet ad abbathiam Glastonie in manu nra existente
occasione vacationis eiusdem Tt de qua ultimus eiusdem
abbathie obiit seisiau et janct 1' alia in eadem pastura
crescentia combusserunt T; alia enormia ibidem perpetrauerunt
ad grave dampnu ipius abbie et nostri contemptum manifestum
et contra pacem nostram ut dicitur. Et ad ostendendum
quare non fuerunt coram nobis in crastino purificationis beate
marie sicut attachiati fuerunt 1 sumoniti per bonos sum.
Robertum Squirel T; Reginad' fayth primes uel p'dicti
Johannis abbis de Newenham 1 adam Scurel T; Thoma fait
primes pl'^dicti fratris henrici de la bouer9 Et regni9 Glade-
wine et Willm velfais p\ios_ pl'predicti luce le messer. Et
reginaldus copiner et Willin blonoch primos pleg1 predicti
Will'i 1 hu^ douile T; thorn bal. primos pl'predicti Roberti

NEWENHAM A.BBEY. 197

Tuclde T; Ricm le pottere T: nichfn pin primes pl'pdicti nich'i
de cleihulle T; ricrfh humas T; Walterum Grey pmos pl'pdicti
nich'i pin. Thorn Grugg T; Thorn tannur primes pi' p'dicti
nichi dare quod sint coram nobis ad prefatum terminiu ante
iudiciu suu de hoc quod non huerunt predictos Johannem
abbatem de Niwenham T: alios coram nobis in crastino
purifici.tionis beate marie sicut eos pleg precipim9 tibi quod
no ommittas propter libertatem abbatis quin ponas per vad' T;
saluos pleg* p\lictos fratrem Ricardum le berker, Ricrfn filium
amabile de schapwik, Johannem de Egelcombe T; alios quod
sint coram nobis ad pYatum terminu ad respondendum
nobis simul cum pdictis Johanne abbate de Niwenham T;
aliis de predicto placito. Et vnde tu tpe nobis mandasti in
crastino pur5 be mar2 quod preceperas balliuis predicte
libertat? quod attachia? pdictos frem Riccm le berker T; alios
quod eent coram nobis ad eundem terminu ad respondendum
nobis simul cum pdictis Johanne abbate de Nievenham 1
aliis de predicto placito qui nichil inde fecerunt T: habeas ibi
nomina secundox pleg1 T; surn pleg1 T; hoc bre. Test? ^ &e
hengham apud Radinge v° die febrr anno regni nri tercio.

Memorandum quod cum eet contencio inter uiros religiosos 5 Feb
dominum Johannem abbatem T; couentum Glastonie ex una
parte T; Johannem abbatem T; conuentum de Niwenham ex
parte altera super terrarum suarum sese contingenaciu ter-
minis atq^ metis tandem pdictus abbas de Niwenham volens
nee sufferens diucius durare sed omnino uolens dirimere
litis materiam Ante mote pro se T; conuentu suo uadiauit
pdictis abbati et conuentui Glastonie triginta marcas pro
bono pacis T; ob captandam ab eisdem graciam T; fauorem.
Ita quod p'dictus abbas T; conuentus de Newenham predictis
abbati T; conuentui Glastonie dabunt et soluent Decem marcas
argenti de summa p'dictarum triginta marcarum citra nat'
domini proxim futu^ et residue xx marcaru de summa
eadem ex predictorum abbis T; conuentus Glastonie tali con-
dicione "I modo sunt posite in respectu ut si bene se gesserunt
abbas T; conuent2 de Newenha erga abbatem T; conuentum
Glastonie nominatim in negocio perambulationis ntriusque
partis assensu inter terras suas faciendis quam neutra pars
ullo malo ingenio impediet nee peruertet. Statim peracto
negocio penitus remittentur nee alterutri parte competet actio
per psentes. Dat london mens oc? anno dni m^.cc. septua-
gessio qnto.

jf Carta abbi de Newenha de quietaclamancia secte hundr9 Qct 1275
T; torno vicecom de vplim.

Omnibus has literas visuris uel audituris Henricus di gratia

198 THE CISTERCIAN HOUSES OF DEVON.

abbas de Niwenham 1 eiusde loci conuentus salutem eternam
in dno. Nouert uniuersitas uestra nos pro nob' et succes-
soribus nois imperpetuu remisisse et quietumclamasse domino
michi abbati glast9 et eiusdem loci conuentui T; ecclie Glas-
tonie totum ius 1 clameum quod ftuimus uel here potuimus
versus ipm abbatem glastonie T: successores suosT; omnes hom-
ines suos T: og homines de feoclis suis de manerio suo de vplim
de sec? hundred' 1 torno vie9 que nos exegimus ab eis ad
hundred' nostrum de axeminstre quod habemus de dono
reginaldi de moun T; confirmacione domini henrici regis filii
regis Johannis T: similiter de sexdeceim solid' T; octo denar9
quos exegimus ab eisdem per annu vnde decem solidos sunt
de turno vicecom et vj sol' et viij d' sunt de quodam redditu
qui uocatur horderesgeld' vnde inplacitauimus predictum
michaelem abbatem per breue domini regis in corni? exon.
Ita quod nee nos nee successores nostri unquam in posterum
clamare uel exigere poterimus de predictis abbate nee conuentu
Glastofi nee eorum successoribus nee etiam ab hominibus suis
nee ab hominibus de feod' suis de pdicto manerio de vplim
aliquam sectam aut pdictos sexdecim solidos T; iiij denar9 per
annu uel aliquod aliud quod ad nos uel successores nostros
aliquo occasione tempore predict! hundredi nri de Axeminstre
accidere poterit. Hoc solumodo saluo nobis T; successoribus
nris quod si balliuos nroa abbatis T; conuentus de vplim in
executione mandati dni regis quod per bre suum vicecom
deuonie demandat5 fuerit T: postea nobis per returnu per ipm
vicecom de mandat5* fuerit T; nos postea idem mandatum per
returnu predictis ballivis ipius abbatis de vplim demanda-
uerimus negligentes ee constiterit ita quod mandatum domini
regis in hac parte non fuerint (sic) executi, bene licebit tune
ballivo de axeminstre qui pro tempore f uit tanquam balliuo
vicecom *\ non tanquam balliuo nro predictum manerium de
vplim intrare T; mandatum illud ea uice executioni demandare,
ita quod nee pdictus abbati T; conuentui Glastonie nee eccie
Glastonie nee hominibus suis de vplim per mandati illius
executioni aliquod unquam in posterum preiudiciu gene-
retur omnes autem prescriptas libertates predictis abbati T;
conventui Glastonie ac ecctie Glastonie contra omnes homines
T; feminas imperpetuu warantizabimus T; pro hac remissione
T; quietaclamancia ac warentia iddem abbas T; conuentus
Glastonie dederunt nob quadraginta marcas. In cuius rei
testimoniu huic scripto sigillum nrm apposui hiis testib}
dominis Reginaldo de moun, Henrico de traci, Johe balon,
Waltero de bathon tune vicecom deuofi, Willmo de leighe
militib), Willmo le bray, Ricro de Craswelle T: aliis.

BX 3417 .05 R7 1878 IMST
Rowe, Joshua Brooking,
Contributions to a history
of the Cistercian houses of
47228667

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